Nazi and Vatican WWII Relations

Primary FactsHoly See/ Vatican (seat of the Roman Catholic Church) and Germ both forged relations in July 20, 1933 known as the Concordat of the Reich Concordat.Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli (who later became pontiff Pius XII in 1939) and Germanys Vice Chancellor Franz Von Papen were the Instrumental figures in the agreement. Witnessed by Msgr. Giovanni Montini (later became Pope Paul VI) and Ludwig Kaas (leader of Germanys Catholic Center Party).Pope Pius XI and Hitler approved the Concordat but were not in attendance.Prior to this Concordat, the Catholic bishops were active in denouncing national socialistsm.1. Prior to WWII schoolmaster reasons for the concordat (Vatican)Generous financial assistance to German Catholic Schools(Alvarez and Graham)Prior Concordat treaties were made with other nations like Bavaria in 1925 Prussia in 1929 and Baden in 1932 autonomy of ecclesiastical institutions and their activities (Alvarez and Graham 1997 3)Establish better footing in Protestant-control led GermanyPrevent the pass out of communism using Nazism as a bulwark enounce Agreement with the Nazi party for the Churchs protectionOther vested interestsOriginal Reason for the Concordat (Germany)To silence the Catholic bishops persistent denouncing on the spread of Nazism.Gain the churchs approval and international recognitionEstablish the trustworthiness and reliability of the Nazi regime.Ensure the rise of Nazism, unopposedSoften the Catholic Churchs opposition to socialism by relying on the post of the pope over the congregation based on the Canon law.Establish power over the German churches.Endorse the Nazi ideology on divided German priestsOther vested interestsNegative Effects of the Concordat on the Roman Catholic ChurchHitler established in 1935 a Ministry of Church Affairs to oversee church movements and placed churches under administrative control.Nazism was actively taught in schools which include a salute to Nazi officers. Anti-Semitism was fanned as Jewish-hate p ropaganda was endorsed by the Nazi regime. German priests were taught that Nazism reasserts the values of religion. Religious activities were barred outside places of worship. effectiveness of the Roman Catholic Church was questioned Reduction of vocations to the priesthood by encouraging men to marry Increasing hostility as Hitler decided not to honor the pact. NotesPope Pius XI started condemn the Nazi party but died shortly before he could deliver a blunt message to the public in 1939. besides a month after, Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli assumed the papacy as Pope Pius XII as the wartime pope. War broke out in September of the resembling year.There are rumors presented by Cardinal Tisserant that Pope Pius XI was murdered a few hours before he was to deliver a message condemning Germany.2. During the WarThe VaticanEnded Pius XIs ban on Action Francaise which is an anti-Semitic organizationDenied knowledge on reported atrocities committed by the Nazi party against Jews.Conciliatory policy of silence despite reports from bishops and other foreign dignitaries.Did not denounce the humanitarian problem of the Jews and other marginalized sectors in Europe.Refused to acknowledge any knowledge of the crimes against humanity.Never excommunicated Hitler.Remain mum and allowed genocide of the Jews.Reasons for upholding the Concordat and silence despite Germany ignoring itPressured into silence by Germanys privileged information gathering on the VaticanBelieved that Nazism could work against communist movementGermany questioned the neutrality of the VaticanFear of offending Germany and loosing support.Protection of the church properties and interest during the warProtection of assets and interestsVeiled endorsement of antisemitismResultsHitlers refusal to honor the terms in the Concordat allowed the worst genocide in the history of mankind among Jews and other marginalized sectors in Europe.Properties were looted, women and children subjected to punishment and executions along with men. interposition of men like common criminals or animals without legal consequences mass murders of Jews with the supreme effort to eradicate their bloodline.