L'Eglise sous Vichy, 1940-1945 : la repentance en question

Examines the impact of the Catholic Church on government policy in France during the Holocaust period. Notes that antisemitism had existed in the Church since antiquity. Although Christian-Jewish relations improved during the interwar period, philosemitism was perceptible mostly in academic circles. Contends that despite antisemitic legislation inspired and abetted by certain members of the clergy, the protests against the roundup of Jews originated with a group of bishops. Ch. 5 (pp. 162-275), "L'Église et l'antisémitisme", evaluates the extent of complicity of the Church with the Vichy regime by analyzing the type of response at each stage of antisemitic legislation, beginning in 1940. Traces the roles of Cardinal Gerlier and Mgr. Saliège (then archbishop of Toulouse, later Cardinal) in the defense of French Jews particularly after the Vél d'Hiv roundup in 1942. Describes efforts by the clergy to aid Jews, including clandestine placement on farms and convents. Pp. 265-275 recount the life of Père Jacques de Jésus, immortalized by Louis Malle in the film "Au revoir les enfants", who hid Jewish children in his school. They were denounced to the Gestapo, the children were deported to Auschwitz, and the priest died in Mauthausen in 1945. Includes bibliographical references (pages 373-388) and index. 404 pages ; 25 cm.