Timeline of the Church in the Shoah

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< 1900 |1919 |1920 | 1921 |1922 |1923 |1924 | 1925 |1926 |1927 |
1928 |1929 |1930 |1931 |1932 |1933 |1934 | 1935 |1936 | 1937 |1938 |
1939 |1940 | 1941 |1942 | 1943 |1944 | 1945 |1946 | 1947 |1948 |

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Before 1900 Latter 1500's Tyndale translates the Bible into the vernacular English, starting with the New Testament. Before he is finished, he will be martyred for the illegal act, although within a few years, the King James version, based 90% on Tyndale and others such as Coverdale and Stephanus translations will appear in 1611 as the authorized version. The Catholic Douay.. Rheems (sp) Bible appears at the same time to undercut the Protestant Translation, although Catholic positioning is still that the Word of God belongs only in the hands of trained clergy. All members of the 1611 translation team, highly trained in Greek, Hebrew and other relevant disciplines, die unusual deaths including poisonings. During the translation process, a counterfeit Catholic translator is dismissed and a bombing occurs. 15 Martin Luther translates the German Bible based upon the Textus Receptus Greek and the Ben Chayim Hebrew, the same which will form the base for the KJV. The Protestant movement begins with the hammering of Luther's theses against apostate actions of the Roman Catholic church such as the selling of indulgences. While in his early career promoting Salvation by Grace, Luther was enamored of the Jews, in his later career, when they refused his calls to salvation, he became adamantly anti-Semitic even calling for violence against the Jews, calling for their exile and the burning of synagogues in an wrath against 'high places' and 'false religion'. His influence was felt in Germany for the next 500 years. 1555-The Religious Peace of Augsburg- Around the time of this conference, districts in Germany/Prussia were ruled by Princes, some under a variety of Protestant and some under Catholic rule. In this decision, the determination of cuis regio, eius, regio in which the religious membership of the ruling monarch or prince established the demarcation of the provincial religious standard, or in other words, 'who reigns, his religion'. 1870's-Catholic Central Party gains power by supporting religious liberty and joining hands with Socialists. 1870-Declaration by Rome of Doctrine of Papal infallibility. 1872-Bismarck severs Germany's relations with the Pope and expels religious orders, including the Jesuits. This follows quickly on the heels of changes in the Vatican regarding boundary disputes, the instituting in 1870 of the doctrine of Papal infallibility, and the establishment of a greater role of mariology in the Church. The Jesuits in America are also forbidden as an order during this time. Decrees are issued limiting Catholic Civil Liberties for fear of a takeover in predominantly Protestant Germany.

1919 The Versaille Treaty ending Germany's new Weimar Republic forced to accept the "War Guilt Claus"; holding Germany responsible for starting the war, damages and reparation to participating nations. This begins the Weimar republic, comprised of Catholics and Communists on an even worse footing, and sets the stage for later issues of repentance following WWII. It also sent along with other war debts Germany into near bankruptcy and severe unemployment and other economic woes. Weimar Republic and Catholic Central Party, predominantly socialist takes over Germany after years of Prussian military rule of the Kaisers. This is significant to the Church, because Germany formerly had great religious freedom for the Protestants since the time of Luther, and Catholic rule to many meant the rule of the Vatican. Protestants experience turmoil due to the changes. (See 1922)

1920 Nunciature Established in Czechoslovakia Since the late 1800s, the Holy See began to establish nunciatures, an ambassadorial office representing the Vatican in various countries under the ruse of protecting Catholic rights in the countries of appointment. The establishment in Czechoslavakia would become of interest later as the country divided, rule became fractured, and Hitler sought a role in the appointment of Bishops, which would govern a Nazi-supporting Catholic hierarchy.

1922 28 Protestant Districts/Churches join in a created Federation to stand against the Catholic and Socialist controlled Weimar Republic. One of the reasons for early Protestant support of the Nazi regime is due to their common opposition to communism and the weakness of the republic. The 28-district federation would be a sort of religious legislature determining the direction and future of the Protestant Church in Germany. Back to Summary

1927 The Modus Vivendi, an agreement giving veto power over the Episcopate (Bishops) established a concordat between the Vatican and the Czech government. Bishops had to swear a loyalty oath. Moves such as this influenced the provincial split in 1939

1932 Formation of the Deutsche Christen " Church. This body of pseudo-protestants posted what they referred to as "Positive christianity" which meant a move away from all Jewish elements and an infusing of Volkish mysticism and German/Nordic mythological themes onto Christianity. It was a 'christianity' without the real Christ in which Christ became the prototypical 'superman' and in which a form of the Church more acceptable to the Reich was founded. They formed in part in the beginning in reaction against the power of the Prussian Church.(See: the Deutsche Christen) Hitler's Party Platform promises traditional relationship of Church and State under his ticket Back to Summary

1933 January 33End of the Weimar Republic, Beginning of the Third Reich. Reichstag burned, Hitler consolidates power over all and a 'purging' of the arts, academics and other paths of intelligensia is done. End of Catholic Socialist rule. Hitler appoints National Bishop, his friend Ludwig Mueller over the federation of Protestants. His office, though,is a mix of Church and state, and Mueller, while loyal to the Nazis will during the reign in office find himself at odds at times with all factions. March 1933: call for a single German Evangelical1 Church, with a National Bishop: espouses a metaphorical second coming of the State-Church March:Meeting of 20,000 German Christians in the Berlin Sports Palace [see Berlin Sportpalast] in which Goebbels speaks, and the Reich gains inroads into the Church. At the same meeting many are outraged with the changes or threatened changes which include: A doctrinal platform of Marcionism {a rejection of the Old Testament, Jewish passages, and positing of a different God for the Jews-see Marcionism] -A call for rejection of the Pauline Epistles -A redefinition of Christ as the 'superman' or 'herreman" Rejection of the Jewish nature of the gospel - a sign which read: "The German Christian reads the Gospel in the Third Reich" or in terms of the 3rd Reich. See Photograph. Meeting of the DC's call for a removal of conservatives who endorsed the standard confessions. The Articles of Faith of the DC are set. The Aryan ParagraphChurch order changed and "aryan paragraph" added stating that no one could serve as clergy,pastor or elected or appointed church official of non-Aryan background or married to a non-Aryan. Those already married were dismissed. December - Mueller, the national Reich Bishop signs an agreement with von Shirach for the Hitlerjugend to work hand in hand with the Church, replacing or aligning activities with the Evangelical Youth Program. This gave Hitler the youth of Germany in Education, Church, and Philosophy. Back to Summary

1934 1935 in Berlin The Muzzling Act-Mueller forbids all political activity in the Pulpit or Church Services. Hitler intervenes in Church Policy, causing a split in the Pastor's Emergency League which had been formed in reaction against the DC. The P.E.L. loses 2000 members. Lutheran Councilendorses Reich Bishop Mueller May Free Synod unite: endorse the Standard Church Confessions May 29-31: combined signing of the Barmen Declaration of the Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Church, at Barment. Called "National Synod Barmen II. Allegiance was demanded at the door, as were oaths or affirmations of loyalty, assessed not only by statement but quizzing. The Barmen Declaration authored by Karl Barth and others affirms the Lordship and Sovereignty of Jesus Christ, not the Church, and firmly denounces State interference with the Church. [See Barmen Doctrine. 1934 May -Sept Northern and Southern Churches divided: more confessing churches in north than in the South. Back to Summary

1935 1935 in Berlin Declaration denouncing the "German Faith" movement associated with the DC. The denouncement is followed by 700 arrests of pastors and others: Catholic and protestant ministers sent to concentration camps for punishment and 're-education'. Niemoller eventually sent to Dachau Karl Barth exiled to Switzlerland Hans Kerrl appointed as Reichminister of Ecclesiastical Affairs, solidifying a government liaison /control over the DC arm of Lutheranism, and manifesting openly the intent of Hitler to control Church affairs. Evangelical Church Seminaries closed, including Bonhoeffer's. Confessing Church Publishing presses closed. Bonhoeffer and others required to regather distributed material. Bonhoeffer protests. Back to Summary

1936 1936- People Missionary Movement of Saxonia unites with the Deutsche Christen [German Christian] 'Movement'. 1936- Hitler appoints a 'Titular Professorship' for Voelki Theology and New Testament, establishing the legitimacy of the DC beliefs, an unholy integration of Nazi principles, thoughts and beliefs with traditional Christian liturgy ,doctrine and practice. Credibility is established. Back to Summary

1937 The Encyclical "Mit Brennender Sorge" or "With Burning Concern" is introduced, looking obsequiesly at racial questions upon the concern of German Catholic Clergy, half of whom supported the Third Reich and the other half deeply concerned about the growing violence against clergy and others who protested Hitler's racial policies. With Burning Concern follows an almost schizoid policy of supporting the new Fuhrer even to sponsoring galas in his honor and displaying Nazi Flags, to sternly warning the Reich of concern about racial issues, although the Church goes along with restrictions such as segregating communion for Catholic-Jewish converts. Hitler declares the need to Lutherans for a new Church Constitution in which he hopes via the DC to influence practice and politics in the governing church body. He desires a clause of 'non-interference' of government in Church affairs with a move to "let the people decide" [between the DC and traditional practice]. The BK [Confessing Church], protests to Hess regarding the treatment of a pastor teaching the Jewish roots of Christianity. 1937- Godesberg Declaration issued by the Thuringian subgroup in which the principles of Romans 13 is used to plead for national obedience to the Reich on the issue of the Loyalty Oath, ensuring DC integration into the Reich. The passage which requires Christians to 'obey the higher powers' because they are ordained of God, is twisted to mean even against other commands of Christ. Volkism and 'community' are equated with the ikklesia or body of believers, and the importance of blood in Christ's atonement and other places is integrated to point to 'blut und boden' or a national land-based bloodline. 1937- Lutherans are approached by Kerrl to meet to ratify the Godesburg Declaration, but Bishops balk and meeting is never held. The DC later adopts and ratifies it, and Kerrl wavers claiming that the rejection is a political one between the general Church body politic and the Thuringians who proposed it. Back to Summary

1938 Barth encourages the Church resistance movement with the Barmen Declaration, first in Czechoslavakia, where the church is fractioning. 1938-Hitler and Kerrl institute a national loyalty oath for the Church to determine "true German Christians", but are countered with the Barmen Declaration for the Confessing Church. Hitler declares the oath of loyalty as the 'shibboleth' of faith to determine Reich allegiance, but by the end of the war, the Barmen declaration is called the 'true shibboleth'. Back to Summary

1939 1939 saw the questionable death of Pius XI, leaving the Encyclical on Race, Genitas Humanitae unsigned. While in 1933 the Reich Concordat was signed even with misgivings at the time, the attempt to firmly stand against the racial policies of the Nazis in this doctrine attributed to LaFarge and two others commissioned by Pius XI, was by all appearances circumvented. Pacelli, the former Cardinal and Archbishop of Bavaria and Berlin takes office as Pius XII to a less than unanimous sentiment in the Curia. June 14, 1939-Archbishop Andrea Cassulo replaces Valerio Valeri in Bucharest, Romania. Moravia and Bohemia are severed and come underthe Reich Protectorate in Czechoslavakia, by March 14th, Slovakia becomes an independent state. It influenced the acceptance of Vatican representation. (See Pro-Nuncios Affecting the Shoah. Of the population of about 3 million, 3% were Jews [@90,000), 13%Protestant and the rest Catholic. 1939-Establishment of the Institute for the Study and Eradication of Jewish Influence on German Religious Life was founded by Eisenacker in the Thuringian Church, directedby Jena [home Racial Science] theologian Walter Grundman. A View of Jesus is established on a racial basis, as the Confessing Church objects. 1939- Journal of the Deutsche Christen edited by Coch. 1939- The Ecclesiastical Council of Wütternberg warns Pastors of Nazi Tactics used against Christian Education and Schools. One of the Nazis' main goals is to remove religious influence from the lives of youths, believing it deters from Reich goals and principles. 1939- A Reinterpretation of the Sermon on the Mount is published and defended including reasoning for the principles not being for the 'here and now'. This allows for brutal Nazi conduct and thought as Christians are deemed incapable of living up to the beatitudes during earthly life. If adhered to, Christians would have to reject Nazism. 1939-Grundman suspends study of Hebrew in theological training because the New Testament is in Greek only.

1940 1940-a "de-judification" of the New Testament and Cathechism in which Jesus is defined as an Aryan .........Back to Summary

1941 March 18th 1941- Apostolic Nuncio Cassulo meets with Antonescu in Romania, who tries to impress the Nuncio with his former aid to Jews and prsents stats showing Semite Control of Commerce and Banking, as evidence for upcoming Jewish Civil Rights restrictions. 3-18-41 Law to confiscate Jewish property in Romania - Law forbids Jews to Convert to Catholicism because of Racial Purity in Romania. Priests and Jews participating threatened with arrest and severe consequences. Cassulo objects on the basis of interference with the Church's mission, , racial issues and violation of the concordat with Romania. The Romanian Government responds that it only meant they could not change their racial status or racially-related civil rights penalties, but that they could become Catholic. Vatican did not respond at the time, but later Maglione noted sold concern with Converted Jews being given same rights, such to free profession, free choice in admission to Catholic schools, and religious instruction, mentoring and advising in institutions such as armies and hospitals.

1942 Martin Bormann, now head of the Chancellory issues a statement regarding the superiority of a Reich defined 'non-Christian ' theism over Christianity, and directs Gauleiters regarding combating the influence of Christianity on the local level. The directive comes into the hands of pastors who seek to circulate it to the Churches to show Nazi intent, but arrests are made by secret police in order to hide Bormann's intent.Back to Summary

1943 Bonhoeffer arrested: Sent to Flössenberg Bonhoeffer executed at Flössenberg, after refusing a way of escape. Directorship of Jena Institute transfers to George Bertam. In other events: Mengele begins medical experiments at Auschwitz including twin studies; Many western countries enter war, Japanese escalate war efforts; Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and Stroop's destruction of Ghetto; Warsaw Jews deported to Treblinka; Germany invades Hungary: death march to border; Raoul Wallenberg rescues 10,000 Hungarian Jews, Mussolini overthrown, Germany invades Italy, German-Italian conflict.. Back to Summary

1944 Hitler almost assasinated by Canaris and others; Allies enter Germany; war breaks out in occupied Greece; xxx x Wxxxxx

1945 End of the War: Concentration Camps liberated ;The Stuttgart Confession calls German Christians to repentance not only for their own actions but for for refusing to intervene more. A call away from the 'spirit of force and retailiation' is made. In other events: Auschwitz liberated by Soviets-January; Other camps liberated between January and April; Forced Death Marches and evacuation of German camps; Allies take Berlin; Hitler and Goebbels enter bunker and with Eva Braun and Goebbels wife and children take cynanide; War ends: war criminals arrested and charged including Goering, Schacht, and others; Displaced person camps established as Jews and other inmates return home...Salt Mine treasures discovered, Vatican aids Nazi escapes and transport of Nazi wealth in medical trains. Many Nazi officials commit suicide; Rocketry technology confiscated from Mittelbau Dora by Americans Back to Summary

1946 1945-46 Berlin air lifts; League of Nations transfers assets to United Nations; the Confessing Church with Neimoller, Barth and others call for German Church repentance; Also call for reorganization of German Church; Nazi Sympathizers attempt to re-take the Institute for the Study of Jewish Influence on German Life at Jena, in 1945, but are soundly rejected in 1946. By 1957, Grundman, the former head was appointed director of Evangelical Publications. Historical Correlations: Hoess arrested and tried; Nuremberg Trials: Goering commits suicide; ;>Britain deports illegal Israeli immigrants to deportation camp in Cyprus; ; Truman gives blessings to efforts to establish Jewish state in Israel;Physicians Trial; ;Warsaw tribunal trials, Frank and others at Nuremberg hanged. ;Peron rises to president in Argentina, gives later refuge to Nazi war criminals ;Back to Summary

1947 Einsatzgruppen trials; US institutes Marshall Plan for rebuilding of Europe; Ghandi Assasinated; India and Pakistan divide; British ram the "Exodus" on high seas to prevent illegal return to Israel; November: UN Partition Resolution to divide Israel into Jewish and Arab state; Arab riots and blockade; Haifa riots; many killed. Back to Summary

1948 1948 saw the birth of Israel as a Jewish State/Nation, in fulfillment of the Balfour Declaration in Britain. Arab blockade, Israeli war establishes Israel; Syria takes Massada; Arabs flee Haifa; Truman sanctions American approval and support for Israel.Back to Summary

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