Bishop says its important to explore the human condition of hatred and disregard for human life

By Caitlin V. Reidy
Special to The Catholic Free Press

WORCESTER – Where there is hatred and discrimination, there can also be heroism and unrelenting courage.  
This was the message that was conveyed by an interfaith film-viewing of “Au revoir les enfants,” a French film about Père Jacques, a French priest and headmaster who tried to shield Jewish children from Nazi occupiers during the Holocaust. Father Jacques was eventually arrested by Nazi occupiers, and was sent to various concentration camps, along with the three Jewish schoolchildren that he tried to protect. The children immediately perished in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Father Jacques survived the concentration camps; however, he succumbed to tuberculosis weeks after being liberated.
Although Father Jacques’ efforts to protect Jewish children were ultimately unsuccessful, the legacy of his sacrifice and the strength of his moral compass is celebrated by both the Catholic and Jewish communities. In 1985, Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Center, named Father Jacques as one of the Righteous Among the Nations. Additionally, the Catholic Church opened the cause for his canonization in 1990.
About 100 people attended the viewing of “Au revoir les enfants” Saturday at the former Temple Emanuel site at Worcester State University. Catholic and Jewish leaders were present to show a unified front in the fight against anti-Semitism.
This event was sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts, and was made possible by a donation from City Councilor Morris “Moe” Bergman, and his wife, Wendy Bergman. Bishop McManus was present and offered words of support for an interfaith collaboration following the film.
“It’s important to see such films where the truth about the human condition of hatred and disregard for human life is portrayed,” Bishop McManus stated.
He said that he first saw “Au revoir les enfants,” which is French for “Goodbye, Children,” in an international theater in 1987. He was living in Rome at the time and he was “just as moved” by the showing Saturday as he was in 1987.
City Councilor Bergman talked about living in a three-decker on Vernon Hill and remembers growing up with friends and neighbors of “all faiths and religions.” He also said that the “goal” of this event was to “honor the memory of the gentiles” who risked their lives to help the Jewish community. Furthermore, Mr. Bergman stated that he hopes this interfaith community event helps to create “good relationships between Catholics and the Jewish population in Worcester.”
Mindy Hall, director of outreach and engagement for the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts, said that the showing of “Au revoir les enfants,” was important for Holocaust remembrance.
“These lessons must not be forgotten. The next generation must understand these lessons through Holocaust education,” Ms. Hall stated. She also conveyed that as an interfaith collaboration, “we must say no; never again.”
Recent anti-Semitic attacks made this event even more significant.
“In times of hatred, God’s light shines through; we must commit to creating a world where these things [the Holocaust] will never happen again,” Bishop McManus stated.
“We are all responsible for each other,” Rabbi Aviva Fellman, spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Israel in Worcester, stated. “If human beings care for each other, everyone is cared for and protected. We all deserve better.”