ADSS 10.415 Rotta to Sec State - disastrous situation in Hungary

10.415 Angelo Rotta, Hungary to Secretariat of State

Reference: Telegram 333 (AES 8492/44)

Location and date: Budapest, 11.12.1944 @ 15.00 (Rec’d Rome 12.12.1944 @ 12.45.

Summary statement: Information on the disastrous situation in Hungary, arrest of Josef Mindszenty (Veszprém).  Government has abandoned Budapest.  Occupation of the city is imminent.  Nuncio will remain in the city.

Language: Italian

Text:

I received your telegram number 368. (1)

I fulfilled the task entrusted to me; the bishop of Vesprimia (2) is still detained on charges of being in contact with the enemy.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs (3) has promised to reach an agreement with the Cardinal Primate (4) … internment; I told the Minister for Foreign Affairs that given the unsatisfactory response and the increasing number of arrests among priests as well as unfulfilled promises about … Jews, enduring persecution, that it was impossible for the Apostolic Nunciature to follow the Government to Sabaria. (5)  I do not believe that the politico-religious situation has changed; the it is alsmost certain that this Apostolic Nunciature will remain in Budapest in the hope that with God’s help can exercise, if possible, a positive influence that the Russians will respect and the  allies support … Occupation of Budapest seems imminent if the Germans do make the supreme effort.  The Ministries have almost completely abandoned Budapest; no diplomatic representatives of the Neutral Powers have followed the Government to Sabaria.

Notes:

(1) 06.12.1944. (AES 8156/44) concerning the arrest of Josef Mindszenty, bishop of Veszprém.

(2) Josef Mindszenty (1891-1975), bishop of Veszprém (1944-45), was arrested by the Arrow Cross on 27.11.1944 and held prisoner in Veszprem, Köhida and Sopron, until the arrival of the Red Army on Easter night (01.04.1945) Cited in Cardinal Mindzsenty Memoires, Paris 1974, pp 38-46. Rotta had informed Rome of the arrest on 30.11.1944 (Telegram 326, AES 8156/44; see ADSS 11). Tardini responded on 06.12.1944 (Telegram 368) instructing Rotta as follows: “If your Excellency’s representations have not yet had any effect, your Excellency is to insist again in the name of the Holy See that charges against the clergy are withdrawn noting that the Holy See could not leave this without protesting similar measures.

(3) Gábor Kemény (1910-1946)

(4) Justinian Cardinal Serédi (1884-1945)

(5) Sabaria is the Latin form of Szombathély, an eastern Hungarian city near the border with Austria.  Szálasi’s government fled Budapest in the first week of December 1944. Rome replied on 14.12.1944 (Telegram 370, AES 8492/44): “Holy Father has learned with pleasure of the dignified decision of your Excellency who presence will be beneficial to the tested population of the city.  His Holiness sends a special Apostolic Blessing. Szombathély fell to the Red Army on 29.03.1945. 

ADSS 10.405 Rotta to Sec State - Soviet troops in Hungary

 10.405 Angelo Rotta, Hungary to Secretariat of State

Reference: Telegram 322 (AES 8088/44)

Location and date: Budapest, 24.11.1944 @ 16.36 (Rec’d Rome 25.11.1944 @ 12.00)

Summary statement: Cardinal Seredi (Ezstergom) has asked that the pope use his influence with the Allies to prevent rape of women by Soviet troops in Hungary.

Language: Italian

Text:

The Cardinal Primate (1) asks that His Holiness would deign to ask the Allied governments to exercise influence on Russia to prevent abuses especially violence against women by soldiers in occupied Hungary. (2)

Note of Montini:

After audience with His Holiness: To the Nuncio in Berlin (sic). Received request.

Note of Tardini:

26.11.1944: His Excellency the Substitute communicated the order of the Holy Father to do something (telegram to Washington). (3)

Notes:

(1) Cardinal Primate Justinian Seredi.

(2) See ADSS 10.356.

(3) See ADSS 10.411*

ADSS 10.381 Tardini to Bernardini, Switzerland - Hungarian Jews

10.381 Domenico Tardini to Filippo Bernardini, Switzerland.

Reference: Telegram nr 747 (AES 6994/44)

Location and date: Vatican 02.11.1944

Summary statement: Overview of the steps taken by the Holy See for the Jews of Hungary.

Language: Italian

Text:

With reference to the report of your Excellency, 23401 of 28.07.1944, I wish to apprise you of the following. (1)

The Holy See has always endeavoured, using every means in its power to alleviate the dreadful pain of those who suffer because of their nationality or race.

As soon as Hungary began to stir the so-called racial question, the Holy See repeatedly made interventions with the Government for those of Jewish ancestry, directing its response with more than a diplomatic note. (2)

Last June (1944), when the situation became worse and severe measures against the Jews were impending, not excluding deportation, the Holy See actively worked for the adoption of less odious measures, encouraging among others, the Hungarian bishops, to get more actively involved. (3)

His Holiness, then, on 25.06.1944 personally sent an open telegram to Regent Horthy (4) asking him to use all his power to save many people from further death and suffering.

It was precisely such action that suspended the deportation of the Jews and mitigated their conditions until a few weeks ago. (5)

Soon further news reached us of the worsening situation following recent political events in Hungary.  The Holy See was quick to once again take interest in this serious problem. (6)

I can assure your Excellency that despite the increasing difficulties of communication, nothing will be left undone to bring relief to such persons.

In this sense the Apostolic Nunciature is working with the Hungarian episcopate who repeatedly send statements and protests to the authorities. (7)

The Holy Father has offered prayer on the occasion of the day announced by Cardinal Seredi for Sunday 29.10.1944 for refugees, and has deigned to send a personal and open telegram (8) to his Eminence where once again his keen interest is manifest for “persons exposed to persecution and violence because of their religion or race or for political reasons”.

I would add that the August Pontiff has just received a telegram from Mr Saly Braunschweig, President of the Swiss Israelite Community, imploring help for the Jews of Hungary. (9) Your Excellency is asked to assure Mr Braunschweig that his telegram arrived and please give him the information above.

Notes:

(1) See ADSS 10.279.  It appears Bernardini’s report took an exceptionally long time to reach Rome.  This is not altogether surprising.  By early November Allied troops were nearing Bologna and non-essential communication was becoming increasingly difficult.

(2) See ADSS 10.207, attachments, 10.223, 10.227 and attachment, 10.308.

(3) See ADSS 10.216, 242 n2, 370.

(4) ADSS 10.243.

(5) ADSS 10.265

(6) ADSS 10. 370, 371.

(7) ADSS 10.207, 227, 265, 308.

(8) ADSS 10.376.

(9) Saly Braunschwieg (20.07.1891-10.02.1946), President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Switzerland (1942-1946). Telegram sent 28.10.1944 (AES 6994/44).

ADSS 10.368 Rotta to Sec State - collection for refugees

10.368 Angelo Rotta, Hungary to the Secretariat or State.

Reference: Telegram nr: 304 (AES 7109/44)

Location and date: Budapvest 22.10.1944 @ 16.00, (arrived Rome 23.10.1944 @ 18.00)

Summary statement: Collection for refugees to be held on 29.10.1944; Hungarian currency is loosing value rapidly.

Language: Italian

Text:

Cardinal Seredi has ordered a collection … for Sunday 29.10.1944 in all Catholic Churches in Hungary for the many refugees.  I believe, if it it was convenient, that the Holy Father make (?) a donation of at least 50,000 pengő. The available cash funds of the Nunciature, which could increase, are 692,000 (?) pengő; such an offer would be even more desirable in order to dispose of the currency, which loses value every day. (1&2)

Note of Montini:

Aid Commission (Vatican Relief Agency?).  Refer immediately.

Notes:

(1) On 30.06.1944 33.51 pengő bought USD 1. 

(2) A note from the Office, 02.12.1944 summarised the various stages of this operation: on 26.10.1944 the Secretariat of State authorised the Nuncio to withdraw money from the Nunciature funds; on 27.11.1944 Rotta restated that gravity of the situation; a handwritten note by Montini on 03.12.1944 said: Audience with His Holiness: you (Rotta) may have the other 50,000 pengő. (AES 7889/44)

ADSS 10.274 Secretariat of State to the British Legation - Hungarian Jews

10.274 Secretariat of State to the British Legation

Reference: (AES 4423/44)

Location and date: Vatican, 22.07.1944

Summary statement: Steps taken by Holy See for the Hungarian Jews.

Language: Italian

Text:

With reference to Note 38/7/44 of 10.07.1944, the Secretary of State of His Holiness wishes to assure the Legation of His Britannic Majesty that it did not fail to bring to the attention of the August Pontiff, the content of the aforementioned Note.

In this regard, the Secretary of State, believes that it is good to mention – as is known – that the Holy See is working, without neglecting any possibilities within its power to alleviate the pain of those who suffer on grounds or nationality or race. It adds that in the past few months, the action of the Holy See has, in a special way, come to the rescue of the Jews living in Hungary.  In their defense the Holy Father recently addressed an open telegram to His Highness, the Regent Horthy (2), requesting that he do all in his power to help those many unfortunate people who suffer because of their nationality or their race.  His Highness the Regent responded assuring that he will do everything possible to enforce the demands of humanitarian and Christian principles. (3)

I believe that the August appeal encouraged His Highness the Regent Horthy to take a more firm stance on the “racial” question and stimulate others in the Episcopate to explain with greater intensity activity in favour of those affected by the “racial” measures; the Hungarian Government – according to recent information received by the Secretary of State – has promised his Eminence Cardinal Justinian George Seredi, Archbishop of Ezstergom, that they would stop the deportations and grant special exemptions [for baptised Jews]. (4)

More news confirms that the situation for the Jews in Hungary shows an improvement and the Holy See will not fail to work so that this improvement may continue and grow. (5)

Notes:

(1) By order of the British government, the Legation sent a message on behalf of the World Jewish Congress. See ADSS 10.249, n1.

(2) See ADSS 10.243.

(3) See ADSS 10.250.

(4) See ADSS 10.265.

(5) On the same day a similar response was sent to Casimir Papée, the Polish Ambassador.