Pius XII and the Holocaust: understanding the controversy

Abstract

Pope Pius XII's alleged silence in face of destruction of European Jews during World War II has been subject of a fierce controversy that has continued unabated ever since Rolf Hochhuth's The Deputy made charge in 1963. Numerous critics have accused Pius of everything from deliberate anti-Semitism to collusion with Nazi regime, while equally partisan defenders have argued that his silent diplomacy saved hundreds of thousands of Jews and other innocent victims from Nazi terror. So contentious has Pius' role become that phrase the silence of Pius XII has taken on a life of its own, beyond facts. In this accessible work, Jose M. Sanchez offers a new approach to controversy. He discusses reasons given for Pius' behaviour by significant authors who have contributed to dispute and evaluates their findings in light of published documents. He studies controversial events that critics have cited to prove their contentions about Pope, from his role in negotiation of German concordat of 1933 to end of World War II in 1945. Sanchez provides a full examination of Pius' public and private comments on war and destruction of European Jews. This analysis moves outside traditional views to rephrase issues. It summarizes basic charges and defenses and also presents a full treatment of Pius' personality in context of institutional framework within which he operated. With a conclusion that summarizes findings and offers author's judgment on issues, this study should enable readers to evaluate and understand one of most heated controversies of modern times.