The Catholic Church And The Holocaust, 1930-1965

Book Summary

Phayer explores the actions of the Catholic Church and the actions of individual Catholics during the crucial period from the emergence of Hitler until the Church's official rejection of antisemitism in 1965. 20 photos. "Phayer offers exactly what was needed.... A fair and even-temperedaccount of a volatile subject." -- Kirkus Reviews "An importantaddition to the literature of the Holocaust." -- PublishersWeekly "Very valuable... a fine and judicious book." -- Istv?nDe?k, The New York Review of Books "Phayer haswritten a singularly important book on the role of the Catholic Church in both theHolocaust and its aftermath, up to and including Vatican II. Diligently researchedand documented, judicious in its conclusions, comprehensive in its scope, compassionate and humane in its outlook, this book is an indispensable resource." --Richard L. Rubenstein "Phayer's study of theCatholic Church] as an actor in the tumultuous history of the 20th century] willserve as a model for other historians." -- Donald J. Dietrich, BostonCollege Phayer's book, particularly strong onGerman source material, is at pains to list Pius's strong points his piety, hisloathing of Hitler, the instances of personal warmth, the occasions when hecriticized Nazism. Phayer examines not only Pius's actions but those of otherleading Catholics, and his study extends beyond the end of World War II to followthe evolution of official Catholic thinking during the rebuilding of Germany, thecold war, and the gradual theological reforms that led to Vatican II. This enablesPhayer to show how the church completely reversed its position relative to the Jews, but it also gives him a more thorough reading of Pius XII's overall record. It is adamning and convincing verdict that emerges." -- Commonweal

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