The Grey Book: A collection of protests against anti-semitism and the persecution of Jews issued by non-Roman Catholic churches and church leaders during Hitlers ruleSnoek, Johan M.
Religion
The Grey Book: A collection of protests against anti-semitism and the persecution of Jews issued by non-Roman Catholic churches and church leaders during Hitlers rule
Snoek, Johan M.
Antisemitism; Christianity and other religions -- Judaism; Judaism -- Relations -- Christianity; Protestant churches -- Europe
"The General Assembly protest anew against the atrocious persecution of
the Jews in Nazi-occupied countries, and in the name of Christ condemns
the inhumanity and sacrilege of anti-Semitic policy. They warmly approve
of the steps taken by the Government to assist refugees, and respectfully
urge it to continue and extend its efforts as far as possible. They
assure the Jewish people of their deep sympathy in their grievous
distress, and earnestly commend them to the prayerful concern and
compassion of the Church." [544]
The Assembly of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland passed
the following Resolution (also in May, 1943):
"They call upon His Majesty's Government to promote, in concert with the
Governments of the United States of America and other associated nations,
effective measures for enabling Jews and other victims of German brutality
to escape and find refuge. <251>
In their view the strong abhorrence and detestation of the persecutors,
which are felt throughout the civilised world, and of their purpose of
exterminating the Jews, should be followed by energetic action, not only
to bring to justice in due course the instigators and perpetrators of the
massacres, but to give immediate aid, welcome and asylum in this and other
free countries to those in peril, even though some risk to our own country
may be involved. To this end they ask that restrictions regarding age,
country of origin or means of support should not be put in the way to
liberty and safety.
They ask the Churches to show and inculcate a friendly and helpful attitude
to such refugees, to pray for the deliverance of those who cannot escape
beyond the reach of their barbarous enemies, and to resist as un-Christian
all tendencies to anti-Semitism. [545]
On June 10, 1943, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
adopted the following Resolution:
"The General Assembly has learned with great satisfaction that His Majesty's
Government is prepared to collaborate with the United States of America in
providing asylum for as many victims of German hate as can escape or be
rescued from the danger which threatens them, and to consult with the
Dominion Governments and the Governments of neutral countries with regard
to united action, so that as many of the threatened people as ever possible
may be helped.
In view of the tremendous urgency of the situation, the General Assembly
requests His Majesty's Government to carry out their promises to provide
immediate and effective relief for those in such dire peril." [546]
Churches and Church leaders had, as quoted so far, expressed their desire
and hope that the Government would take practical steps for aiding refugees.
The Bishop of Chichester, however, expressed his disappointment in a letter
to the Editor of "The Times":
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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