Relations with Jews August Hlond

monument in poznań.

in 1936, cardinal hlond, primate of poland issued pastoral letter on catholic moral principles. long (5600-word) letter covered catholic ethics policy, ethics principles , section on sins (z naszych grzechów) addressed christian shortcomings love 1 s neighbours in accordance god s law. latter section included brief discussion of jewish problem (problem żydowski):

so long jews remain jews, jewish problem exists , continue exist (...) fact jews waging war against catholic church, steeped in free-thinking, , constitute vanguard of atheism, bolshevik movement, , revolutionary activity. fact jews have corruptive influence on morals , publishing houses spreading pornography. true jews perpetrating fraud, practicing usury, , dealing in prostitution. true that, religious , ethical point of view, jewish youth having negative influence on catholic youth in our schools.

hlond tempered these remarks admission not jews way , forbade assaults on jews or attacks on property:

there many jews believers, honest, just, kind, , philanthropic. there healthy, edifying sense of family in many jewish homes. know jews ethically outstanding, noble, , upright. 1 may love 1 s own nation more, 1 may not hate anyone. not jews. (...) forbidden demolish jewish store, damage merchandise, break windows, or throw things @ homes (...) forbidden assault, beat up, maim, or slander jews. 1 should honor , love jews human beings , neighbors

yet, despite warning catholics not take anti-jewish moral stance, interspersed in letter s words of friendship explicit condemnation of jewish culture , judaism rejection of jesus christ.

it prefer own kind when shopping, avoid jewish stores , jewish stalls in marketplace (...) 1 should stay away harmful moral influence of jews, keep away anti-christian culture, , boycott jewish press , demoralizing jewish publications. (...) not honor indescribable tragedy of nation, guardian of idea of messiah , born savior. when divine mercy enlightens jew sincerely accept , our messiah, let greet him our christian ranks joy.

although hlond s letter indicated willingness on part of church accept conversion of jews, criticized polish jewish groups saw offering support , rationalization antisemitism. caught attention of historians remark not hating anyone, not jews , implying not enemies . jews loved neighbours or enemies?

however, while hlond promoted expulsion of german civilians after world war ii, had consistently condemned nazi persecution of jews. controversy caused hlond s reaction kielce pogrom, took place in polish town of kielce on july 4, 1946. while condemning murders, hlond denied racist nature of crime. saw pogrom reaction against jewish bureaucrats serving communist regime. position echoed cardinal sapieha, reported have said jews brought on themselves.