Shoah: the Catholic and Jewish scouts of Toulouse united against oblivion
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Monsignor Saliège’s letter, the Jewish and Catholic communities of Toulouse are broadcasting a video relaying the words of this Righteous Among the Nations. It is to be discovered on social networks this Tuesday.
“Jews are men, Jewesses are women. Everything is not allowed against them, against these men, against these women, against these fathers and mothers of families. They are part of the human race. They are our Brothers like so many others. »
This voice which rises against barbarism is that of Monsignor Saliège, Archbishop of Toulouse. Exactly 80 years ago, on August 23, 1942, as raids and deportations multiplied in Vichy France, the man of the Church took up his pen to express his indignation at the treatment suffered by Jews. His letter relayed by the priests of the parishes of the diocese of Toulouse will be distributed well beyond the department.
“Youth must engage in new challenges”
“Very quickly, the bishop of Montauban followed, the letter was also taken up on the waves of the BBC and Radio Vatican”, mentions Arnaud Franc, priest delegate for relations with Judaism.
To celebrate the 80 years of this act of protestthe Jewish and Catholic communities of Toulouse produced a unreleased video which will be broadcast on social networks this Tuesday. In this video shot last July, young Jewish and Catholic scouts aged 10 to 17, as well as Monseigneur de Kerimel, Archbishop of Toulouse, take turns reading the letter from Monseigneur Saliège. “Getting it read by young people seemed essential to us,” says Arnaud Franc. Young people make it possible not to forget the past, and even today, they must engage in new challenges. »
“During the war, the Israelite Scouts saved many children by placing them in children’s homes, as in Moissac for example. At the Liberation, they also played a big role when it was necessary to recover them,” adds Maurice Lugassy, regional coordinator of the Shoah Memorial.
Sophie, 12, participated in the filming. A member of the Scouts de France de Balma for 3 years, this project, she says, “excited” her. “I am very happy to have participated. It’s important for the next generation to know this story and what happened to the Jews. At the time, this letter served to shed light on what is being passed on and to inspire more people to help. »
In the continuity of this commemoration, two large-scale events will be organized at the end of the year. Sunday, November 20, a memorial day will take place in Toulouse. Four days later, on November 24, a study day will be organized by the Shoah Memorial and the Catholic Institute of Toulouse. The detailed program of these days will be announced.
The video “The 80th anniversary of the letter of Monsignor Saliège which marks history” can be found on the main social networks this Tuesday.