Hey, I'm New Here

[Katholikos]

Someone on this thread asked that if anyone knew the author of a book about Pius XII, starting with a R, would they please provide same. . Here 'tis.

"Hitler's Pope" is falsified history.

QUOTE

Pius XII gets day in court — verdict? Not guilty

By Dolores Madlener

STAFF WRITER

It started as an intellectual argument with a fellow attorney, says Ron Rychlak, 43. Nine years later it has blossomed into his newly published book, “Hitler, the War and the Pope.”

“He was one of those colleagues you enjoy debating a point with,” he says. But when the friend said, “The pope was a Nazi,” it shocked Rychlak, a Catholic, raised in a Polish-American home in LaFayette, Ind. where his dad was teaching at Purdue.

“If [John Cornwell’s] ‘Hitler’s Pope’ had been out at the time,” Rychlak says, “I probably would have flipped through it and said, ‘Hey, my buddy’s got a point’ and dropped it.”

Instead he read a book about Christian rescuers of Jewish victims of the Holocaust. It was a story that had it all—Nazis, the war and the pope—and it sparked Rychlak’s interest.

He says he began seriously researching other sources because “I couldn’t argue with this friend unless I had everything foot-noted and documented.”

Rychlak claims not to have approached “the case” biased on behalf of Pope Pius XII, although “there was something about a pope being sympathetic to a Nazi that didn’t ring right.” Nonetheless, he says, “I literally did not know who Pius XII was at that time.” The pontiff died when Rychlak was a toddler.

His curiosity with the pontiff’s guilt or innocence did not flow from a built-in fascination with WWII, but it turned him into an authority on the subject.

“That was one of the hardest things—I had to literally teach myself World War II.” His wife Claire, back home in Oxford, Miss., now expecting their sixth child, remembers his research. She told visitors recently, “Ron wrote this book on weekends and at night on his laptop, right there on the living room floor.”

Rychlak, who has taught law at the University of Mississippi for 13 years, after working as a trial lawyer with the firm of Jenner & Block in Chicago, says he wonders how his wife put up with him. “I watched the History Channel every night. We spent a year with Nazi books all over our dining room table. Claire was worried someone was going to come in and wonder about all that stuff!”

But after two years, they realized he had 200 pages of notes in his computer and plenty of proof that Pius was getting railroaded.

The notes became the seed for his fascinating 500-plus page exposition of one of history’s monumental events and two of the figures that dominated it.

“I tried to construct the book like a court case, laying out all the facts (Chapters 1-17), before I began my argument (Chapter 18).” Then follow 10 fundamental questions that the author answers in summation; a razor sharp rebuttal (epilogue) to journalist Cornwell’s book; the endnotes; a 14-page bibliography and an index. The crown to his scholarly and very readable work is the foreword written by Cardinal John O’Connor, who penned it after reading the manuscript during his final illness.

Rychlak believes it has helped to be a lawyer in compiling the book. “In terms of finding the truth, the legal method, when properly applied, is very effective.” He has left no stone unturned to resolve any argument as to where Pius stood and what his motivations were. “I didn’t want readers to ask themselves later, “Gee, is there some uninvestigated fact I don’t know about?”

The most rewarding experience during his investigation was an invitation from the Vatican to use its library. Rychlak says he had a chance to see every document and book that Cornwell saw, and concludes that “Hitler’s Pope” is a fraud. “Cornwell is too smart to have made honest mistakes. He had an agenda.” From discussing the “doctored” photo on its cover to Cornwell’s last chapter where he attacks Pope John Paul II, whom he likens to Pius XII, Rychlak’s epilogue pins Cornwell to the mat of truth.

In a sense, Pius becomes Rychlak’s client in this book. While the Prosecution (Pius’ various critics since his death) have found him guilty, Rychlak sets out a solid defense to convince a fair-minded jury of readers of his innocence.

He also tells what Pius did and didn’t do. “He didn’t use the bully pulpit.” But adds that neither did anybody else who was working covertly. “The underground cannot use the bully pulpit.”

The author cites early critics such as the playwright Rolf Hochhuth, who complained that Pius should have postured more, in order to look good and for the “glory” it would have brought the church.

But he also cites many Nazis sources that Hitler was poised to have an excuse to invade the Vatican where Jews were in hiding. Rychlak says all the good works accomplished under the authority of the pope would have been lost. “All those people (a modest number is 800,000 Jews in Europe) would have been lost.”

As defense lawyer/author, he points out proof of Pius’ personal sacrifices like eating rations during the war, when he could have had regular food, and living without heat in the Vatican to suffer with his people.

He shows the unprecedented bravery of Pius, who jeopardized his own diplomatic neutrality and that of the Vatican during wartime, most notably, when he passed along information of a coup attempt by friendly Germans wanting to overthrow Hitler and sue for a separate peace. They also gave Pius information about troop movements before the invasions of Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland, which he gave to the Allies.

Even the pope’s personality has been distorted, according to Rychlak’s studies. “He’s been depicted as icy, cold and austere. Well, this man was a diplomat, remember — charming, witty, even funny.”

Rychlak learned in reading the biography of Cardinal Francis Spellman of New York, that in escorting the future pope around the United States in 1936, Spellman found the English-speaking Cardinal Pacelli charming and with a sense of humor.

As the cause for Pius XII’s canonization progresses, all these facts gain more importance. Rychlak acknowledges that unfortunately, in proving the present case for Pius, his detractors keep bringing up new allegations, “It’s a constant shifting battle,” he says.

College professors at Princeton and Loyola of Chicago, where Rychlak’s dad retired in 1999, have expressed an interest in using the book in class, and the New York Archdiocese is considering it for high school seniors studying the Holocaust.

“Hitler the War and the Pope” is as fascinating as anything in a Grisham novel or on “Law and Order,” but ultimately what Rychlak has accomplished is to give Pope Pius XII his “day in court.”

“Hitler, the War and the Pope,” by Ronald J. Rychlak, published by Our Sunday Visitor, 548 pp, $19.95 paperback, $26.95 hardcover. Available from Pauline Books & Media, (312) 346-4228; St. Philomena Religious Goods, (312) 563-1694; and other bookstores.

[cmotherofpirl]

A couple of my friends took Latin in college and highschool and they translated "baby got back" into Latin.....

Harry Potter was just published in Latin. :D

[Paladin D]

Yeah, I also thought he could have come up with something more creative.  The book has a lot of good stuff in it, and he's the man I thank for my conversion.

Conversion to what?

[Aloysius]

ahhhh witches :ph34r:

haha.. as long as u remember it's FICTION, then it's aight

[marielapin]

Another one??

Don't mind my questions, Ken, but I'm curious.

Were you forced to convert because you married a catholic?? Most of the Catholic converts i know converted because of that!

No offense!

I can't speak for Ken, but I can speak for myself. Jared (my fiance at the time) told me that he DID NOT want me to convert just because he was. In fact he said that he did not want me to convert at all unless I felt called to.

Well, I had already looked into the Catholic Church before I met him, so I was already well on my way, but his attitude about the whole thing was wonderful.

Basically, he felt strongly enough about his own faith that he did not want me to become the same, even though I didn't believe it.

By the way, you do not have to become Catholic if you marry a Catholic. I know of one couple that has been married for about 35 years, with the mom Catholic and the dad Methodist. The children were raised Catholic, but the parents still keep to their own belief systems.

[CatholicAndFanatical]

I was in Monica's shoes once. Having anti-Catholic family telling me how awful Catholics are, thinking they knew everything about the bible and Christ, but never really attending church or reading the bible.

I remember about 4 years ago going through RCIA class's to join the Catholic Church, how upset I was at not only my family, but the little preachers that are out there lying about our Faith and what the Catholic Church really is. I've been lied to and led astray.

My anger comes back in reading what monica has to say about the Church, not against you in particular because I know your only stating what you've been taught. But angry at the people who brain washed you into thinking carp about the Catholic Church.

How can you possibly think Jack Chic is being guided and protected by God? He is against God and is a wolf in sheeps clothes. His words about the Church are full of lies. It can be proven that what he SAYS we teach, we do not teach.

Just like Cmom says. if you truely want to learn about the Catholic Faith, come to us Catholics for the answers..if you just want to two step around the Truth, go to an anti-Catholic source or a prot source. You'll definitly find tons of lies to fit your logic.

You said:

For example Pius XII, who completely supported hitler.

and i'm not makingg this up, we read a book in class approved by historians called "Hitler's pope: The Secret History of Pius XII" or something like that. And here's a website:

http://www.chick.com/bc/1989/holocaustorin...OM=Catholicpage

So the pope was all for Hitler huh? Have you ever heard of St. Maximillian Kolbe? Probably not but he was a Catholic Priest that died in a concentration camp. He took the place of another guy that had family. St. Max died so the other guy could live..had the Catholic Church approved of such treatment then St. Maximillian probably wouldnt of been in a concentration camp to begin with.

I urge you to read about Pope Pius XII and Hitler: Article on Pope Pius XII and Hitler

I've seen alot of people ask this of you but havent seen an answer yet. Where do you think the Bible came from? What are the prots you talk to tell you it came from?

Can you give me 100% Historical truth as to where the Bible came from? I can and will. as soon as you reply to my posts.

If you want to follow Martin Luther, thats fine. Just remember that Martin Luther believed in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist (but wasnt exactly rigth in his theory of it), Martin Luther also believed that Mary was a Perpetual Virgin, as do Catholic...but not Protestants.

Also, Martin Luther knew the Bible came from the Catholic Church..its historical facts that can be proved..read this to those anti-Catholics you refer to then ask them to show proof of the opposite. Who's gonna be right?

Pax,

CatholicAndFanatical

[CatholicAndFanatical]

I must add to my Pope Pius XII and Hitler part of my message.

Pope Pius XII inDouche did speak out against the extermination of the Jews. Read an exerpt below..

*********************************

In his Christmas message of 1942, he specifically denounced the extermination of the Jews: The New York Times praised this message, writing, "This Christmas more than ever Pope Pius XII is a lonely voice crying out in the silence of a continent. The pulpit whence he speaks is more than ever like the Rock in which the Church was founded, a tiny island lashed and surrounded by a sea of war... When a leader hound impartially to nations on both sides condemns as heresy the new form of national state which subordinates everything to itself; when he declares that whoever wants peace must protect against 'arbitrary attacks' the 'juridical safety of individual'; when he assails violent occupation of territory, the exile and persecution of human beings for no reason other than race or political opinion; when he says that people must fight for a just and decent peace, a 'total peace'--the 'impartial' judgment is like a verdict in our high court of justice."

*************************

There is no Hitler's Pope.

[Dave]

Monica, I'm a convert to Catholicism too. I was raised Presbyterian. I'm not married; I came into the Church because I came to see that what the Church teaches -- EVERYTHING it teaches -- is true.

I saw you posted a link to an article that was on www.jesus-is-lord.com. That site is an ultimate Catholic hate site! About as bad as Jack Chick.

These anti-Catholics say they love Catholics, but they really don't. They hear these lies about the Church, believe them, and spread them. And then they refuse to listen when others try to set them straight. Is that love? Hardly!

Let's compare it to a woman who becomes convinced her husband is cheating on her because he's out late every night. He's really not cheating on her; he's just working late. But she makes up her mind that he is. And she tells all her friends about it too. So despite the fact that he hasn't done anything wrong, in her eyes and those of others, he's a sleazeball. And yet, despite it all, she may claim she still loves him. Ummmm . . . excuse me, but that's not love, the way she's acting!

[CatholicAndFanatical]

Bump

[Guest jrob8503]

Set

[Jake Huether]

spike!

LOL.

Where's Monica!?

I was all exited to be talking to her today. :(

[CatholicAndFanatical]

Goal!

[KennC]

Hi Monica;

Wow Ken....

Now if you don't feel like answering that's OK, but why did you decide to convert? I mean, you were Protestant before, right??

... I'm sorry this is coming late, but yes I was Protestant. Why I decided to convert?? is a very long story filled with many experiences that all had a part to play. But I guess the short of it is, that as I spent time with the RCIA group, more and more I had answers to some of the experiences I had gone through prior. I actually never knew I was in RCIA or even what that was until the second year I was attending the meetings, this too is a rather long and somewhat embarassing story.

A few things that happened as I was at these meetings that caused me some pause was, people I knew before started to grow cold towards me, close friends quit inviting us to dinner and would politely turn down my invites to them. People at the Church began to issues comments almost under their breath about the Catholic Church.

Folks at RCIA on the other hand, once I clued in this was RCIA , were always very clear that I had to Pray about my decision and that if I chose not to join the Church I was always welcome at the meetings. These folks displayed something I wanted, in turn which made me want to be around them. I have since regained relationships with these friends from my Protestant days but it took a couple years, I swear they thought I was going to grow horns, ... one friend (Baptist) I know would convert today if he thought his wife wouldn't leave him.

It wasn't until I was on boards such as these that I really began to see the real difference and come to learn more indepth as to Catholic understanding. I always read the Bible but as I read posts that referenced the ECF's, I would read the early writings of those who were Disciples of John for instance.

The greatest difference for me though came one early morning during Mass about a year later. I had intellect understanding of the Eucharist but I wanted more, a "heart thing" and I had been Praying for this for a long time ... and just as I was going up for Communion that morning the words "as I consume all of you, consume all of me" came to me as though they were spoken and the Mass has changed for me ever since. Christ is with me always but since that day the Tabernacle and at Mass the Eucharist is like a heater, the closer you are the more intense the Spirit.

One internet post doesn't do the heart justice but I Pray some of that made sense, God Bless you Monica always and in all ways.

Peace of Christ, Ken

[Monica]

spike!

LOL.

Where's Monica!? 

I was all exited to be talking to her today. 

Sorry, I'm here!

I had to go to classes....

But now i'm here and ready to talk & learn!

At least until i have to go to a freind's house for a halloween party!! ;)

[Jake Huether]

Sweet!

I'm gunna be passing out candies tonight with my wife.

So, what's the topic today!?

Monica, I posted something earlier on Indulgences (the very thing Luther left the Church over - well, the selling of them, not necessarily the phylosophy). Look up the thread, "the Body of Christ". I hope you enjoy!

Good to hear from you again.