C
Charlemagne_III
Guest
Before being elected Pope, Pius XII lived in Germany long enough to know early on that Hitler was going to be dangerous for the Church. He did what he could to smooth things out between Hitler and the Church, but to no avail. The persecution of the Church during Hitler’s regime is well documented. When anyone defied him, as the bishops of Holland did, he immediately reacted with fury and executions of the Jews. Pius’ reluctance to be more outspoken against HItler is rooted in the righteous fear that Hitler as maniac would be more savage than ever. We know how, as the war progressed, even Pius’ policy of restraint could not stop Hitler from taking out his fury on everyone, but mostly the Jews.
The view is held by some that Pius should have openely and repeatedly condemned Hitler. That was really unnecessary. In the eyes of the world Hitler had already condemned himself. Pius could not have stopped Hitler. If anything, it was more likely Hitler would have stopped Pius with a bullet.
The view is held by some that Pius should have openely and repeatedly condemned Hitler. That was really unnecessary. In the eyes of the world Hitler had already condemned himself. Pius could not have stopped Hitler. If anything, it was more likely Hitler would have stopped Pius with a bullet.