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U.S. Releases File on Vatican Help for Nazis
The International Herald Tribune Sunday, January 29, 1984 WASHINGTON — The State Department on Friday made public a formerly top secret report alleging that Vatican officials helped Nazis escape from Europe after World War II. The report, which was dated 1947, said the Vatican's motives apparently were "the propagation of the faith" and that church officials asked few questions of those they helped. "It is the Vatican's desire to assist any person, regardless of nationality or political beliefs, as long as that person can prove himself to be a Catholic," it said. Officials said they did not know what, if any, fo!low-up action was taken as a result of the report, which said the Vatican was "the largest single organization involved in the illegal movement of emigrants" after World War II, assisting a wide variety of persons, including German Nazis. Santiago Demonstration About 50 demonstrators protested Thursday in front of ihe home of Walter Rauff, a former SS colonel wanted for wartime killings of Jews, Reuters reported from Santiago. They demanded his extradition or expulsion from Chile. The demonstration was led by Beate Klarsfeld, who with her husband. Serge, has specialized in tracking down former Nazis. |
