ADSS 10.225 Amleto Cicognani (USA) to Luigi Maglione

One train left Hungary for Auschwitz with 1447 Jews on board.

ADSS10.225 Amleto Cicognani (USA) to Cardinal Maglione

Reference: Telegram 2098 (AES 3586/44)

Location and date: Washington DC, 09.06.1944 @ 12.40 (Received Rome @ 21.00)

Summary statement: Request for intervention for the Hungarian Jews.

Language: Italian

Text:

Four of the most important Rabbis representing “The Emergency Committee for the Salvation of the Jews of Europe” addressing a heartfelt plea to the Holy Father.  They know with certainty that the extermination of the Jews of Hungary has commenced and is continuing.  They are about one million.  The Rabbis beseech His Holiness to make a public appeal in the strongest terms that the Jews be spared. The Hungarian people, predominantly Catholic, will be impressed by such a high appeal and there is confidence that they will cooperate with bishops, priests and good lay people, in order that the government does not continue this slaughter.  This committee understands what it asks (or requests) but are convinced that only the words of the Pope will obtain a good effect.

Attachment: Cardinal Maglione to Angelo Rotta.

Telegram number 244 (AES 3800/44)

Vatican, 17.06.1944

(Italian)

Following my telegram number 240. (3)

According to reports received by the Holy See from the Apostolic Delegation in Washington, there is an “extermination” of Hungarian Jews. 

I ask your Excellency to let me know promptly whether this news is the truth and whether the episcopate has made a collective appeal to the government for non-Aryans and with what result. (4)

Notes:

(1) See ADSS 10.207.  Arthur Hughes (1902-1949), caretaker Vicar Apostolic of Egypt, telegraphed from Jerusalem on 09.06.1944: “Chief Rabbi Holy Land felicitates Holy Father preservation Rome, begs exhort cardinal Seredi continue work protection rescue Jewish in great immediate danger”. (Telegram 189; AES 4428/44)

(2) Domenico Tardini annotated (on a separate page): “14.06.1944: telegraph Hungary and whether the bishops have anything for the Jews … (before the Holy See does anything directly)”

(3) 29.05.1944. AES 3285/44.

4. See ADSS 10.233

ADSS 10.216 Domenico Tardini to Angelo Rotta

ADSS: 10.216 Domenico Tardini to Angelo Rotta

Reference: AES 3317/44

Location and date: Vatican, 29.05.1944

Summary statement: Instructions for the nuncio concerning the Hungarian bishops.

Language: Italian

Text:

The Secretariat of State has received the communication from Your Most Reverend Excellency, number 915/44 about the Antisemitic legislation. (1)

My most eminent superior (2) has noted with painful interest the orders for harsh legal measures taken against the Jews, measures which have also affected many thousands of baptised, since the decrees are based, as they have said, on race.

The steps taken by your Excellency are in accord with those taken by the Holy See and other nations in defence of the principles of charity espoused by the Gospel and, therefore, the most eminent superior, has asked me to express his pleasure, sure that you will continue to do everything possible to alleviate the suffering of so many unhappy people.

From what your Excellency has written is seems that the episcopate is, in this respect, somewhat inert.  In order that the faithful not be surprised, the eminent superior is of the opinion you should make a discreet exhortation

Notes:

(1) See ADSS 10.172

(2) Luigi Maglione (1887-1944), Cardinal Secretary of State 1939-1944.  Domenico Tardini (1888-1961) was Maglione's principal assistant.

(3) See ADSS 10.242.  The same day Telegram 240 (AES 3285/44) signed by Maglione, was sent with summarised instructions (see ADSS 10.225, n3)