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JOURNALISTIC POLEMICS
from issue no. 01/02 - 2005

Comparison of the two documents: The note drafted by the nunciature




The note drafted by the nunciature
(from the Italian translation of the original French)

Apostolic Nunciature of France Paris 23 October 1946
N. 4516

Object:
Jewish children entrusted to Catholic organizations at the time of the persecution

With regard to the Jewish children who during the German occupation, were entrusted to Catholic institutions and families and who are now claimed by Jewish organizations to be restored to them, the Congregation of the Holy Office has taken a decision that can be summarized as follows:

1) Avoid, in as far as possible, responding in writing to the Jewish authorities, but do so orally
2) Every time it is necessary to respond, it must be said that the Church has to make its own investigations to study each particular case
3) Children who have been baptized cannot be entrusted to institutions that cannot ensure their Christian education
4) It is not fitting that the children who no longer have parents and of whom the Church has taken responsibility, should be abandoned by the Church itself or entrusted to persons who have no right over them, unless they are capable of deciding for themselves. This obviously for children who were not baptized
5) If the children were entrusted (to the Church) by their parents, and if the parents now reclaim them, they can be returned, provided that the children themselves have not received baptism.
It is to be noted that this decision of the Congregation of the Holy Office was approved by the Holy Father.


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