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
"Where the feeling of responsibility has been awakened, it must be transformed
into action. This can be done by gifts to the relief organizations among the
banished, which also have branches in our country. In co-operation with other
organizations, the Swedish Ecumenical Council's Refugee Committee seeks to aid
refugees both within and outside our country's borders, particularly Christians
of non-Aryan descent.
The money already collected is now almost spent, but the need for help is still
very great. Gifts for this activity can be deposited under the name "Help for
Refugees" on the Swedish Ecumenical Council's postal current account No. 80710,
Stockholm.
Recently, the Council's Refugee Committee, the Deacon Board's Social Committee
and the Swedish Israel Mission have started other aid activities, such as
accommodating children of Jewish refugees, preferably Jewish-Christian, in
Swedish homes for a shorter or longer period, and trying to find places
farmers' homes for about a year for Jewish-Christian youth, particularly male,
who need re-education for later emigration to countries which have declared
themselves willing to receive them.
Information of such homes as well as financial contributions will be gratefully
received by Pastor B. Pernow, Idungatan 4, Stockholm, postal current account No.
125545.
Intercession
"At this period, with the mentality of violence penetrating minds more and more,
it is important not to neglect the possibilities we still have to make Christ's
mind and Christ's thoughts heard regarding the relation between man and man,
between people and people. Scarcely at any other point has this task seemed
clearer and more demanding than as it concerns the Western peoples' conduct
towards Israel.
May Christ's love in our hearts light a flame of concern for a people who were
the Lord's own, the people of the Prophets and the Apostles. May Christ's love
make us burning and persistent in our intercession for those who suffer
persecution, as well as, for those who persecute. May they receive the grace
to repent. May Christ's love make us firm against all hatred, drive out all
fear, and make our hands ready for service. Brethren, in the name of Christ
we beg you to receive this appeal in a brotherly spirit." [161]
It is difficult to understand how "all discussions of politics" can be banned
from Christian instruction and teaching, as the statement demands, whilst at
the same time resisting "the spirit of mercilessness...". <63>
In this same statement, support was requested for the Refugee Committee,
which sought "to aid refugees... particularly Christians of non-Aryan
descent". We have seen the same trend in Churches in other countries.
However, the appeal of the Bishops of Sweden, also in 1938, pleaded for aid
to Jewish children and youth in general.
This "Appeal for Help to Jewish Refugees" was signed by Archbishop Eidem
and 12 other Church leaders:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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