I have no time for any church as an institution but I came across a story about a member of the clergy who ‘abused’ his power to save hundreds of Jews in Austria. Reverend Hugh Grimes was chaplain at Christ Curch, Vienna but following the Anschluss he began to baptise his Jewish parisioners as quicly as possible. By the introduction of identification papers in Vienna 23 July 1938 Rev Grimes had already baptised over 900 jews. Over 1,800 baptism’s were conducted, with Grimes working 6 days a week, until the critical Church of England stopped the practice. Rev Grimes returned to England later that Summer but his successor Reverend Frederick Collard carried on the practice. Over 1,800 baptism’s were conducted, upto 100 a a day, until the critical Church of England stopped the practice.
It was not only the Church of England that has been critical:
Jewish historian Professor David Cesarani of Royal Holloway, University of London, is appalled by what appears to him like a crass recruitment exercise of vulnerable people by a proselytising church.
“Any Christians who took advantage of the pressure on Jews to baptise them were doing just that. They were using leverage of the most terrible sort.
“There were many other ways that members of the Christian clergy could have helped Jews – offering hiding places, false papers and other kinds of assistance.”
I think the Rev Grimes did what he thought best and should be applauded for it.
Jason E Cooper 