President Karol Nawrocki commemorated National Day of Remembrance of Poles Who Rescued Jews in Toruń, emphasizing the role of Christian values in their actions.
President Highlights Christian Identity of Polish Rescuers
President Karol Nawrocki stated that Polish heroes rescued Jews during the German occupation due to their Christian identity, with love and mercy evident in the lives of Józef and Wiktoria Ulm. He made these remarks during the observance of National Day of Remembrance of Poles Who Rescued Jews.
The President participated in a ceremony unveiling additional names on the Memory Plaques dedicated to Polish individuals who perished while rescuing Jews at the Chapel of Memory within the Sanctuary of Our Lady Star of New Evangelization and St. John Paul II in Toruń. Seven more victims, including an unborn child, were honored.
Nawrocki: Poles Guided by Teachings of Jesus Christ
Karol Nawrocki emphasized that the Polish nation, guided by the Gospel and the words of Jesus Christ, built its Christian identity and values such as goodness, love, and mercy. These values, he asserted, made Poland a haven for many Jews, a “good home” until the German invasion of 1939, which brought a “bad home.”
Rescuers Acted Despite Extreme Risk
Nawrocki noted that Polish rescuers during World War II may not have been aware of the strategic plans of the German state, but they understood the dire situation and the death penalty for aiding Jews. He attributed their actions to the Christian identity within Polish society, exemplified by the lives of Józef and Wiktoria Ulm.
Former President Duda Praises Polish Nobility
Former President Andrzej Duda, also present at the ceremony, underscored that Poles who rescued Jews knowingly risked their lives, often offering shelter and paying the ultimate price. He described the Toruń Chapel of Memory as a place of mourning and immense pride, showcasing a society with numerous individuals of exceptional nobility.
International Representatives Pay Respects
The commemoration was attended by representatives from the Israeli and British embassies, as well as Zbigniew Bogucki, head of the KPRP, and Krzysztof Szwagrzyk, Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance.
Israel’s Vice Ambassador Commends Moral Courage
Israeli Vice Ambassador Omer Chechek Katz highlighted that during the Holocaust, when aiding a Jew meant risking one’s own life and that of their family, some individuals overcame fear and indifference, offering help. He praised their actions as an extraordinary expression of moral responsibility and humanity, deserving of lasting gratitude.
National Day of Remembrance Established in 2018
National Day of Remembrance of Poles Who Rescued Jews is a state holiday established by the Polish parliament in 2018, at the initiative of then-President Andrzej Duda, to honor Poles who risked their lives to help Jews persecuted by the German occupiers.
Date Commemorates the Ulm Family Tragedy
The day is observed on March 24th, marking the anniversary of the tragic events of 1944 when German gendarmes murdered the Ulm family from Markowa (Subcarpathian Voivodeship) for sheltering Jewish families.
Chapel of Memory Symbolizes Sacrifice
The Chapel of Memory features an altar symbolizing the sacrifice of life made by Poles for those they rescued, along with a statue of the Virgin Mary. The walls display granite plaques bearing the names of Polish rescuers and a quote from the Gospel of John: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” As of Tuesday, 1249 names were inscribed on the plaques.
Park of Memory Honors Survivors
Adjacent to the sanctuary is the Park of Memory, where pedestals display the names of 31,500 Polish rescuers who survived World War II.
