• OUR LADY of CZĘSTOCHOWA: st Sigismund parish church, Słomczyn, Poland; source: own collectionOUR LADY of CZĘSTOCHOWA
    St Sigismund parish church, Słomczyn, Poland
    source: own collection
link to OUR LADY of PERPETUAL HELP in SŁOMCZYN infoSITE LOGO

Roman Catholic
St Sigismund parish
05-507 Słomczyn
85 Wiślana Str.
Konstancin deanery
Warsaw archdiocese, Poland

  • St SIGISMUND: St Sigismund parish church, Słomczyn, Poland; source: own collectionSt SIGISMUND
    St Sigismund parish church, Słomczyn, Poland
    source: own collection
  • St SIGISMUND: XIX c., feretory, St Sigismund parish church, Słomczyn, Poland; source: own collectionSt SIGISMUND
    XIX c., feretory
    St Sigismund parish church, Słomczyn, Poland
    source: own collection
  • St SIGISMUND: XIX c., feretory, St Sigismund parish church, Słomczyn, Poland; source: own collectionSt SIGISMUND
    XIX c., feretory
    St Sigismund parish church, Słomczyn, Poland
    source: own collection
  • St SIGISMUND: XIX c., feretory, St Sigismund parish church, Słomczyn, Poland; source: own collectionSt SIGISMUND
    XIX c., feretory
    St Sigismund parish church, Słomczyn, Poland
    source: own collection
  • St SIGISMUND: XIX c., feretory, St Sigismund parish church, Słomczyn, Poland; source: own collectionSt SIGISMUND
    XIX c., feretory
    St Sigismund parish church, Słomczyn, Poland
    source: own collection
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Martyrology of the clergy — Poland

XX century (1914 – 1989)

personal data

review in:

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link do KARTY OSOBOWEJ - POLSKA WERSJAKliknij by wyświetlić to bio po polsku
  • GRABOWSKI Silvester, source: www.facebook.com, own collection; CLICK TO ZOOM AND DISPLAY INFOGRABOWSKI Silvester
    source: www.facebook.com
    own collection
  • GRABOWSKI Silvester, source: pliki.divart.pl, own collection; CLICK TO ZOOM AND DISPLAY INFOGRABOWSKI Silvester
    source: pliki.divart.pl
    own collection

surname

GRABOWSKI

surname
versions/aliases

GRABOWSKI-CIEMLADA

forename(s)

Silvester (pl. Sylwester)

  • GRABOWSKI Silvester - Commemorative plaque, porch, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven cathedral, Pelplin, source: own collection; CLICK TO ZOOM AND DISPLAY INFOGRABOWSKI Silvester
    Commemorative plaque, porch, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven cathedral, Pelplin
    source: own collection

function

diocesan priest

creed

Latin (Roman Catholic) Church RCmore on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2014.09.21]

diocese / province

Culm (Chełmno) diocesemore on
pl.wikipedia.org
[access: 2012.11.23]

RC Military Ordinariate of Polandmore on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2014.12.20]

honorary titles

Cross of Valourmore on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2019.04.16]

date and place
of death

10.1939

DEATH symbol

VSH Karlshoftemporary custody
today: Karolewo, Więcbork gm., Sępólno Krajeńskie pov., Kuyavia‐Pomerania voiv., Poland

more on
pl.wikipedia.org
[access: 2020.07.31]

alt. dates and places
of death

VSH Resmintemporary custody
today: Radzim, Kamień Krajeński gm., Sępólno Krajeńskie pov., Kuyavia‐Pomerania voiv., Poland

more on
pl.wikipedia.org
[access: 2017.01.21]

KL Stutthofconcentration camp
today: Sztutowo, Sztutowo gm., Nowy Dwór Gdański pov., Pomerania voiv., Poland

more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2022.01.09]

details of death

During German occupation (Prussian partition of Poland), while studying at the Germ. Königliches Gymnasium (Eng. Royal Gymnasium) in Wejherowo, member of the Polish clandestine student self–education organization Pomeranian Philomaths.

In 1914, after start of the World War I drafted into German Imperial Army as a chaplain.

After the abdication on 09.11.1918 of the German Emperor William II Hohenzollern; after the signing on 11.11.1918 by the Allies and the Germans, in the staff carriage in Compiègne, at the headquarters of French Marshal Ferdinand Foch, of the armistice and ceasefire — which de facto meant the end of World War I; and also after the handover on 11.11.1918 by the Regency Council — operating in the territory occupied by the Central Powers (Germany and Austria–Hungary) of the so‐called Germ. Königreich Polen (Eng.Polish Kingdom) — of supreme command over the army to Brigadier Joseph Piłsudski and his appointment as Commander‐in‐Chief of the Polish Army, which de facto meant the rebirth of the Polish state, covering however only Germ. Königreich Polen, i.e. the Polish territory under Russian rule until 1915, and excluding the lands of the Prussian partition, which were still formally part of the German state; Pomerania — as the Prussian Germ. Provinz Westpreußen (Eng. West Prussia) — was still formally part of the German state. Became then a military chaplain of the Germ. Reichswehr — the armed forces of the Weimar Republic, formally still governing the Germ. Provinz Westpreußen — in Grudziądz, where Poles made up about 25% of the inhabitants, although in Grudziądz district they constituted 60%.

On 28.06.1919 in Versailles the victorious Entente powers signed a peace treaty with Germany, and Pomerania was awarded to Poland, but the precise boundary line was left to the international Delimitation Commission. On 17.01.1919, a week after the final ratification of the treaty and its coming into force, the troops of the Polish Pomeranian Front entered Pomerania, under the command of Gen. Joseph Haller. Within its framework, the Pomeranian Rifle Division, which was at the core of the Front, formed in the summer of 1919 near Inowrocław on the orders of the Commander‐in‐Chief of the Polish Army in the former Prussian partition, Gen. Joseph Dowbor–Muśnicki, entered Toruń on 19.01.1920. On 23.01.1920 it entered Grudziądz, which thus became part of the Polish state. Immediately afterwards became chaplain of the Polish Army — perhaps of the Pomeranian Rifle Division, or perhaps, after on 05.03.1920 it was renamed as the 16th Pomeranian Infantry Division, the latter (formally from 30.07.1920).

In 03‐04.1920 the 16th Pomeranian Infantry Division was sent to the Eastern Front.

There, in the struggles of the Polish–Russian War of 1919‐1920, did not take part as a homogeneous formation — its brigades and regiments were included in various tactical associations. They took part, among others, in the Kiev expedition, which began on 25.04.1920. Reached the Dnieper River (near Kiev and in Rechytsa in Belarus). In 05.1920, in the face of the first northern Russian offensive, some of the units were transferred to the Berezina River, where they fought at Kryvičy and Pankraty. When the Russian counter–offensive from Kiev took place on 26.05.1920, and then a large offensive started in 07.1920 in the north, the Division's units withdrew both through Belarus on the line Rechytsa – Bobruiki 26.06.1920 – Nakhiv 28.06.1920 – Byaroza‐Kartuskaya 27.07.1920 – Brest, and through Ukraine, on the line Zaruddya – Korosten – Rivne – Olyka 14‐19.07.1920 – Berestechko 01‐02.08.1920 – Lviv, constantly fighting with the attacking Russians. On 12.08.1920 the entire Division was concentrated near Baranów on the Wieprz River. When the decisive Battle of Warsaw (known as the „Miracle on the Vistula”) began around 15.08.1920, on 16.08.1920 the Division began a counterattack from the Wieprz River, moving from Baranów and Łysobyki (today part of the village of Przytoczno) to the north and — after the weak Russian defense collapsed — through Żelechów, Kałuszyn, Nur, where it crossed the Bug River, Czyżew, reached Łomża on the Narew River, cutting the Russian line of attack in the north. The Russians began to retreat in panic. Then the Division was sent by rail transports through Biała Podlaska, Brest on the Bug River, recaptured by the Poles on 02.09.1920, to Kobryn in Belarus. There, near Kobryn and Gorodec, it fought a nearly two‐week battle with the Russians, ending on 24.09.1920 — then a part of the second most important battle of the war, on the Neman River, of 20‐26.09.1920. The defeat of the Russians meant pursuit through Drahichyn, Chomsk to Nyasvizh near Baranavichy. On 18.10.1920, after concluding an armistice, the Division took up quarters in the Baranavichy area, after which on 11.11.1920 it began a retreat that ended with a return to Pomerania.

Remained in the Army for another year, after which was transferred to the reserve. In 1923, 1925, 1927 and 1929 appointed a reserve chaplain of the Polish Army (starting from 1925, each time for a statutory period of 2 years).

After German and Russian invasion of Poland in 09.1939 and start of the World War II, after start of German occupation, arrested by the Germans in 09.1939 (or on c. 28.10.1939).

Held in VSH Karlshof custody.

Murdered there, in a nearby forest or gravel pit.

The arrests and genocidal murders — in an abandoned estate in the village of Karolewo, c. 7 km east of Więcbork and c. 40 km northwest of Bydgoszcz, in the Sępólno Krajeńskie district — were carried out, as part of the Germ. «Intelligenzaktion» (Eng. „Action Intelligence”), i.e. the extermination of the Polish intelligentsia and the leadership classes of Pomerania, by the genocidal unit of the Germ. Volksdeutscher Selbstschutz (Eng. Self‐Defense of Ethnic Germans), i.e. VS, whose members were Germ. Volksdeutsche (Eng. Ethnic Germans), i.e. representatives of the German minority in Poland from Więcbork and the surrounding area. Organizationally, they were subordinate to Inspectorate IV VS Konitz with its seat in Chojnice, belonging to the Germ. Bezirk III Nord (Eng. Northern District) of VS. They were prob. supervised by members of the paramilitary, genocidal Germ. Die Schutzstaffel der NSDAP (Eng. NSDAP Protection Unit), i.e. «SS», subordinate to the ruling National Socialist German Workers' Party NSDAP. The commander of the VS in the Sępolno district was a member of the «SS», arrived from Germany on German tanks, a certain William Richardt, who publicly proclaimed that „it would be an honor for every Pole to fertilize German soil with his carcass”.

The border areas, where Karolewo was located, were occupied by the Germ. Wehrmacht (Eng. Armed Forces) on the first days of war, i.e. 01.09.1939. The VSH Karlshof camp in Karolewo was established early, in mid‐09.1939, even before the Germ. Wehrmacht transferred power to civilian hands. The commander, his deputy, and most of the crew came from Więcbork and were citizens of the Polish state — traitorous Germ. Volksdeutsche.

Those arrested — on the basis of the one of the so‐called Germ. Sonderfahndungsliste (Eng. Special Wanted List), i.e. a proscription list of names of „enemies of the Reich”, prepared before the German aggression, or on some other proscription list, drawn up ad hoc, compiled based on denunciations from local Germ. Volksdeutsche — after registration and confiscation of personal belongings, were interrogated. In practice, the interrogation turned into the so‐called Germ. Volksgericht (Eng. People's Court), during which Germ. Volksdeutsche accused the detainees. Most often, the detainees were accused of participating in the events of 03‐04.09.1939, the so‐called Germ. „Bromberger Blutsonntag” (Eng. „Bydgoszcz Bloody Sunday”) in Bydgoszcz, exploited by the Germans for propaganda purposes — when Germ. Volksdeutsche started shooting Polish soldiers defending Bydgoszcz in the back. The Poles suppressed the rebellion, prob. i.a. shooting many German traitors. The „judges” of the Germ. Volksgericht, the murderers dressed in judicial attire, knew only one verdict — the death sentence, which immediately became final.

The executions „began with strenuous gymnastic exercises (e.g. falling to the ground and quickly getting up), during which the Germans beat their victims with steel springs, lead bullets sewn into the skin, and chains wrapped in barbed wire. The people, thus exhausted, were driven at a run to the execution site”. They were murdered mainly in a small clearing in the forest separating the villages of Karolewo and Jastrzębiec, c. 1 km north of the VSH Karlshof camp. The victims were shot, but also — to save ammunition — beaten to death with bullwhips, clubs, sticks, spokes, chains, shovels, and spades, sometimes with their heads chopped off. During the exhumation, it was determined that out of 951 victims — men and women, including children — 686 bodies were found with crushed skulls and 265 without them. There is also a known case where German torturers jumped on the unfortunate man until his intestines spilled out onto the floor. Another was beaten with sticks, ordered to go into a doghouse and bark, and then drowned in manure. Some, prob. already seriously injured, were buried alive.

The number of victims is unknown. Formally it is reported that „at least 1,781 people” were murdered in Karolewo. This is how many bodies were allegedly recovered during exhumations in 1945 and 1946. In the aforementioned death clearing, three death trenches were unearthed, 85 m, 100 m, and 60 m long. However, it is not even clear how many exhumations took place, and some estimates put the number as high as 10,000 victims. The three graves discovered were not the only places where the Germans buried dead Poles — they buried them in many graves scattered chaotically throughout the forest. Young trees were then planted on the graves, and even a football pitch was laid out.

The confirmed list of victims today contains 395 names.

The Germ. Volksdeutscher Selbstschutz closed the camp on c. 08.12.1939. Most of the German murderers were never punished, protected by the „justice system” of the Germ. kulturnation (Eng. cultural nation).

alt. details of death

According to some sources murdered in VSH Resmin custody, according to some others in KL Stutthof concentration camp.

cause of death

mass murder

perpetrators

Germans

sites and events

VSH KarlshofClick to display the description, VSH ResminClick to display the description, KL StutthofClick to display the description, «Intelligenzaktion»Click to display the description, Reichsgau Danzig‐WestpreußenClick to display the description, Ribbentrop‐MolotovClick to display the description, Pius XI's encyclicalsClick to display the description, Polish‐Russian war of 1919‐1921Click to display the description, Pomeranian PhilomathsClick to display the description

date and place
of birth

31.12.1887

BIRTH symbol

Grabowo Parchowskietoday: Parchowo gm., Bytów pov., Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.07.29]

parents

GRABOWSKI Basil
🞲 ?, ? — 🕆 ?, ?

MAN and WOMAN symbol

SCHNISZ Monica
🞲 ?, ? — 🕆 ?, ?

presbyter (holy orders)
ordination

12.05.1912

ORDINATION symbol

positions held

15.12.1931 – 1939

parish priest — Sypniewotoday: Więcbork gm., Sępólno Krajeńskie pov., Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.09.02]
⋄ St Catherine of Alexandria the Virgin and Martyr RC parish ⋄ Kamień Pomorskitoday: Kamień Krajeński, Kamień Krajeński gm., Sępólno Krajeńskie pov., Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.09.02]
RC deanery — also: president of the District Board of the National Party in Sępólno Krajeńskie; member of the Pomeranian Provincial Assembly

01.09.1922 – 1931

prefect — Toruńtoday: Toruń city pov., Kuyavia‐Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.06.20]
⋄ Municipal gymnasium for Women ⋄ St James the Apostle RC parish ⋄ Toruńtoday: Toruń city pov., Kuyavia‐Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.06.20]
RC deanery — also: from 1925 vice‐president of the Board of the Pomeranian Circle of Prefect Priests; 1923‐1926 deputy secretary of the Scientific Society in Toruń

1921 – 1922

RC military pastor — Toruńtoday: Toruń city pov., Kuyavia‐Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.06.20]
⋄ Command of the Corps District DOK No. VIII Toruń, Polish Armed Forces ⋄ St Catherine of Alexandria RC military parish ⋄ Toruńname/seat of military deanery
today: Toruń city pov., Kuyavia‐Pomerania voiv., Poland

more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.06.20]
RC deanery — commissioned; by decree of the Chief of State of 03.05.1922, confirmed with seniority from 01.06.1919 and 19th place on the list of Roman Catholic military pastors, in the rank of lieutenant colonel; by decree No. L. 3448 of the Commander‐in‐Chief of 16.12.1921, verified with seniority from 01.04.1920 and 19th place on the list of Roman Catholic military pastors, in the rank of lieutenant colonel; also: administrator of the military parish

1920 – c. 1921

RC military chaplain — 16th Pomeranian Infantry Division (till 05.03.1920 Pomeranian Rifle Division), Polish Armed Forces — formally accepted into the Polish Army as a chaplain by L. 2238 decree of the Commander‐in‐Chief of 30.07.1920

1918 – 23.01.1920

RC military chaplain — Grudziądztoday: Grudziądz city pov., Kuyavia‐Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.09.02]
⋄ garrison, Germ. Reichswehr i.e. armed forces of the Weimar Republic ⋄ Holy Spirit RC military parish — also: pastor of the miliary parish

1914 – 1918

RC military chaplain — German Imperial Army

vicar — Chmielnotoday: Chmielno gm., Kartuzy pov., Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.09.02]
⋄ St Peter and St Paul the Apostles RC parish ⋄ Mirachowotoday: Kartuzy gm., Kartuzy pov., Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2020.11.27]
RC deanery

vicar — Wąbrzeźnotoday: Wąbrzeźno urban gm., Wąbrzeźno pov., Kuyavia‐Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.09.02]
⋄ St Simon and St Judas Thaddaeus the Apostles RC parish ⋄ Wąbrzeźnotoday: Wąbrzeźno urban gm., Wąbrzeźno pov., Kuyavia‐Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.09.02]
RC deanery

vicar — Koronowotoday: Koronowo gm., Bydgoszcz pov., Kuyavia‐Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.12.19]
⋄ Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary RC parish ⋄ Fordontoday: district of Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz city pov., Kuyavia‐Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.09.02]
RC deanery

vicar — Czersktoday: Czersk gm., Chojnice pov., Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.09.02]
⋄ St Mary Magdalene RC parish ⋄ Tucholatoday: Tuchola gm., Tuchola pov., Kuyavia‐Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.09.02]
RC deanery

vicar — Czarnylastoday: Skórcz gm., Starogard Gdański pov., Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.09.02]
⋄ St Andrew the Apostle RC parish ⋄ Gniewtoday: Gniew gm., Tczew pov., Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.07.29]
RC deanery

1908 – 1912

student — Pelplintoday: Pelplin gm., Tczew pov., Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.05.06]
⋄ philosophy and theology, Theological Seminary

1905 – 1908

pupil — Wejherowotoday: Wejherowo gm., Wejherowo pov., Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.09.02]
Germ. Königliche Gymnasium (Eng. Royal Gymnasium) — studies crowned with the maturity diploma (i.e. matura)

1899 – 1905

pupil — Pelplintoday: Pelplin gm., Tczew pov., Pomerania voiv., Poland
more on
en.wikipedia.org
[access: 2021.05.06]
⋄ „Collegium Marianum” progymnasium

others related
in death

KOZŁOWSKIClick to display biography Anthony John

sites and events
descriptions

VSH Karlshof: German Germ. Volksdeutscher Selbstschutzhaft (Eng. Volksdeutscher Selbstschutz custody) VSH — established in Karolewo (today Sępólno Krajeńskie poviat) by the genocidal German paramilitary organization Volksdeutscher Selbstschutz — the decision to create Selbstschutz in the Polish lands occupied by German troops was made in Berlin on 08‐10.09.1939 at a conference headed by Reichsführer‐SS Heinrich Himmler (the formal order bears the date 20.09.1939), and the chaotically formed units were directly subordinated to the officers of the genocidal SS organization — as part of the «Intelligenzaktion» action — the extermination of the Polish intelligentsia and leadership classes in Pomerania — for Poles from the Krayna region. By 12.1939, when the camp was closed, the Germans murdered, in Karolewo and the surrounding forests, most of the Poles held in the camp — the number of victims is sometimes estimated from 4,000 to 10,000 people, although contemporary estimates range from 1,781 to 2,643. (more on: pl.wikipedia.orgClick to attempt to display webpage
[access: 2013.05.19]
, en.wikipedia.orgClick to attempt to display webpage
[access: 2013.07.06]
)

VSH Resmin: German Germ. Volksdeutscher Selbstschutzhaft (Eng. Volksdeutscher Selbstschutz custody) VSH — established for the inhabitants of Krajna land by the genocidal German paramilitary organization Volksdeutscher Selbstschutz — the decision to create Selbstschutz in the Polish lands occupied by German troops was made in Berlin on 08‐10.09.1939 at a conference headed by Reichsführer‐SS Heinrich Himmler (the formal order bears the date 20.09.1939), and the chaotically formed units were directly subordinated to the officers of the genocidal SS organization — on an estate in the village of Radzim, operating from 10.1939 till 12.1939. Germans held exclusively men in the camp; (some women and children who were accidently brought to the camp were murdered on the spot). Among others on c. 15.01.1939 Germans brought to it — and to a small Komierowo sub‐camp, c. 10 km away — all prisoners of a nearby — c. 10 km — VSH Drausnitz custody in Drożdzienica. As a part of «Intelligenzaktion» — aimed at extermination of Polish intelligentsia and ruling classes in Pomerania — Germans murdered in Radzim approx. 5,000 victims. They were murdered at the camp itself (mainly in the manor’s park) or executed outside, in a site of mass executions in Rudzki Most n. Tuchola among others. (more on: pl.wikipedia.orgClick to attempt to display webpage
[access: 2013.05.19]
)

KL Stutthof: In German Germ. Konzentrationslager (Eng. concentration camp) KL Stutthof (then in Eastern Prussian belonging to Germany, today: Sztutowo village) concentration camp, that Germans started to build on 02.09.1939, a day after German invasion of Poland and start of the World War II, Germans held c. 110,000‐127,000 prisoners from 28 countries, including 49,000 women and children. C. 65,000 victims were murdered and exterminated. In the period of 25.01‐27.04.1945 in the face of approaching Russian army Germans evacuated the camp. When on 09.05.1945 Russians soldiers entered the camp only 100 prisoners were still there. In an initial period (1939‐1940) Polish Catholic priests from Pomerania were held captive there before being transported to KL Dachau concentration camp. Some of them were murdered in KL Stutthof or vicinity (for instance in Stegna forest). Also later some Catholic priests were held in KL Stutthof. (more on: stutthof.orgClick to attempt to display webpage
[access: 2018.11.18]
, en.wikipedia.orgClick to attempt to display webpage
[access: 2013.07.06]
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«Intelligenzaktion»: German: «Intelligenzaktion» (English: „Intelligence Action”) — a German program of extermination of the Polish elite, mainly the intelligentsia and leadership layers, carried out from the beginning of the occupation in w 09.1939 to 04.1940, mainly in territories directly annexed to Germany, but also in the so‐called Germ. Generalgouvernement (Eng. General Governorate), where it was called «AB‐aktion». In the first phase, immediately after the beginning of the German occupation, during military operations carried out by the Germ. Wehrmacht (Eng. Armed Forces) and the genocidal units of the Germ. Einsatzgruppen (Eng. Operational Groups) of the Germ. Sicherheitspolizei (Eng. Security Police), i.e. SiPo, and Germ. Sicherheitsdienst des Reichsführers SS (Eng. Security Service of the Reichsführer SS), i.e. SD, organized by the Germ. Reichssicherheitshauptamt (Eng. Reich Main Security Office), i.e. RSHA, which followed the troops, carried out under the Germ. Unternehmen „Tannenberg” (Eng. Operation „Tannenberg”) — based on the so‐called Germ. Sonderfahndungsliste (Eng. Special Wanted Lists), i.e. proscription lists of Poles considered particularly dangerous to the Third Reich, prepared by the Zentralstelle II/P (Polen) unit of the German RSHA. Later, implemented by the German civilian occupation authorities and the genocidal unit of the Germ. Volksdeutscher Selbstschutz (Eng. Ethnic Germans Self‐Defense), whose members were Germ. Volksdeutsche (Eng. Ethnic Germans), i.e. representatives of the German minority in Poland. According to various sources, these lists, at the beginning of 09.1939, could have contained the details of 61,000—88,000 „dangerous” Poles — although these figures cannot be confirmed. In total, during this genocide, c. 50,000 teachers, Catholic priests, representatives of the landed gentry, freelancers, social and political activists, and retired military personnel were systematically and methodically murdered. Another 50,000 were sent to concentration camps, where only a negligible percentage survived. (more on: en.wikipedia.orgClick to attempt to display webpage
[access: 2014.10.04]
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Reichsgau Danzig‐Westpreußen: After the Polish defeat in the 09.1939 campaign, which was the result of the Ribbentrop‐Molotov Pact and constituted the first stage of World War II, and the beginning of German occupation in part of Poland (in the other, eastern part of Poland, the Russian occupation began), the Germans divided the occupied Polish territory into five main regions (and a few smaller). The largest one was transformed into Germ. Generalgouvernement (Eng. General Governorate), intended exclusively for Poles and Jews and constituting part of the so‐called Germ. Großdeutschland (Eng. Greater Germany). Two were added to existing German provinces. From two other separate new provinces were created. Vistula Pomerania region was one of them, incorporated into Germany on 08.10.1939, by decree of the German leader Adolf Hitler (formally came into force on 26.10.1939), and on 02.11.1939 transformed into the Germ. Reichsgau Danzig‐Westpreußen (Eng. Reich District of Gdańsk‐West Prussia) province, in which the law of the German state was to apply. The main axis of the policy of the new province, the territory of which the Germans recognized as the Germ. „Ursprünglich Deutsche” (Eng. „natively German”), despite the fact that 85% of its inhabitants were Poles, was Germ. „Entpolonisierung” (Eng. „Depolonisation”), i.e. forced Germanization. C. 60,000 Poles were murdered in 1939‐1940, as part of the Germ. „Intelligenzaktion”, i.e. extermination of Polish intelligentsia and ruling classes, in c. 432 places of mass executions — including c. 220 Polish Catholic priests. The same number were sent to German concentration camps, from where few returned (over 300 priests were arrested, of whom c. 130 died in concentration camps). C. 124,000‐170,000 were displaced, including c. 90,000 to the Germ. Generalgouvernement. Poles were forced en masse to sign the German nationality list, the Germ. Deutsche Volksliste DVL. Polish children could only learn in German. It was forbidden to use the Polish language during Catholic Holy Masses and during confession. Polish landed estates were confiscated..To further reduce the number of the Polish population, Poles were sent to forced labor deep inside Germany. The remaining Poles were treated as low‐skilled labor, isolated from the Germans and strictly controlled — legally, three or three of them could only meet together, even in their own apartments. Many were conscripted into the German Wehrmacht army. After the end of hostilities of World War II, the overseer of this province, the Germ. Reichsstatthalter (Eng. Reich Governor) and the Germ. Gauleiter (Eng. district head) of the German National Socialist Party, Albert Maria Forster, was executed. (more on: en.wikipedia.orgClick to attempt to display webpage
[access: 2024.06.24]
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Ribbentrop‐Molotov: Genocidal Russian‐German alliance pact between Russian leader Joseph Stalin and German leader Adolf Hitler signed on 23.08.1939 in Moscow by respective foreign ministers, Mr. Vyacheslav Molotov for Russia and Joachim von Ribbentrop for Germany. The pact sanctioned and was the direct cause of joint Russian and German invasion of Poland and the outbreak of the World War II in 09.1939. In a political sense, the pact was an attempt to restore the status quo ante before 1914, with one exception, namely the „commercial” exchange of the so‐called „Kingdom of Poland”, which in 1914 was part of the Russian Empire, fore Eastern Galicia (today's western Ukraine), in 1914 belonging to the Austro‐Hungarian Empire. Galicia, including Lviv, was to be taken over by the Russians, the „Kingdom of Poland” — under the name of the General Governorate — Germany. The resultant „war was one of the greatest calamities and dramas of humanity in history, for two atheistic and anti‐Christian ideologies — national and international socialism — rejected God and His fifth Decalogue commandment: Thou shall not kill!” (Abp Stanislav Gądecki, 01.09.2019). The decisions taken — backed up by the betrayal of the formal allies of Poland, France and Germany, which on 12.09.1939, at a joint conference in Abbeville, decided not to provide aid to attacked Poland and not to take military action against Germany (a clear breach of treaty obligations with Poland) — were on 28.09.1939 slightly altered and made more precise when a treaty on „German‐Russian boundaries and friendship” was agreed by the same murderous signatories. One of its findings was establishment of spheres of influence in Central and Eastern Europe and in consequence IV partition of Poland. In one of its secret annexes agreed, that: „the Signatories will not tolerate on its respective territories any Polish propaganda that affects the territory of the other Side. On their respective territories they will suppress all such propaganda and inform each other of the measures taken to accomplish it”. The agreements resulted in a series of meeting between two genocidal organization representing both sides — German Gestapo and Russian NKVD when coordination of efforts to exterminate Polish intelligentsia and Polish leading classes (in Germany called «Intelligenzaktion», in Russia took the form of Katyń massacres) where discussed. Resulted in deaths of hundreds of thousands of Polish intelligentsia, including thousands of priests presented here, and tens of millions of ordinary people,. The results of this Russian‐German pact lasted till 1989 and are still in evidence even today. (more on: en.wikipedia.orgClick to attempt to display webpage
[access: 2015.09.30]
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Pius XI's encyclicals: Facing the creation of two totalitarian systems in Europe, which seemed to compete with each other, though there were more similarities than contradictions between them, Pope Pius XI issued in 03.1937 (within 5 days) two encyclicals. In the „Mit brennender Sorge” (Eng. „With Burning Concern”) published on 14.03.1938, condemned the national socialism prevailing in Germany. The Pope wrote: „Whoever, following the old Germanic‐pre‐Christian beliefs, puts various impersonal fate in the place of a personal God, denies the wisdom of God and Providence […], whoever exalts earthly values: race or nation, or state, or state system, representatives of state power or other fundamental values of human society, […] and makes them the highest standard of all values, including religious ones, and idolizes them, this one […] is far from true faith in God and from a worldview corresponding to such faith”. On 19.03.1937, published „Divini Redemptoris” (Eng. „Divine Redeemer”), in which criticized Russian communism, dialectical materialism and the class struggle theory. The Pope wrote: „Communism deprives man of freedom, and therefore the spiritual basis of all life norms. It deprives the human person of all his dignity and any moral support with which he could resist the onslaught of blind passions […] This is the new gospel that Bolshevik and godless communism preaches as a message of salvation and redemption of humanity”… Pius XI demanded that the established human law be subjected to the natural law of God , recommended the implementation of the ideal of a Christian state and society, and called on Catholics to resist. Two years later, National Socialist Germany and Communist Russia came together and started World War II. (more on: www.vatican.vaClick to attempt to display webpage
[access: 2023.05.28]
, www.vatican.vaClick to attempt to display webpage
[access: 2023.05.28]
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Polish‐Russian war of 1919‐1921: War for independence of Poland and its borders. Poland regained independence in 1918 but had to fight for its borders with former imperial powers, in particular Russia. Russia planned to incite Bolshevik‐like revolutions in the Western Europe and thus invaded Poland. Russian invaders were defeated in 08.1920 in a battle called Warsaw battle („Vistula river miracle”, one of the 10 most important battles in history, according to some historians). Thanks to this victory Poland recaptured part of the lands lost during partitions of Poland in XVIII century, and Europe was saved from the genocidal Communism. (more on: en.wikipedia.orgClick to attempt to display webpage
[access: 2014.12.20]
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Pomeranian Philomaths: Secret societies of Polish youth, aiming at self‐education, patriotic in form and content, functioning 1830‐1920, mainly in secondary schools — gymnasia — in Pomerania around Vistula river (Gdańsk Pomerania and Chełmno county), in Prussian‐occupied Polish territories (one of the partitions of Poland). On 08.01.1901 Germans conducted a series of interrogations of students at Chełmno, Brodnica and Toruń gymnasiums. On 09‐12.09.1901 the first of court trials of Polish students from those gymnasiums and students of Theological Seminary in Pelplin was held in Toruń. 1 person was sentenced to 3 months in prison, 1 to 2 months, 3 to 6 weeks, 7 to 3 weeks, 2 to 2 weeks, 19 to a week, 2 to 1 day, 10 were reprimanded. 15 were cleared. More definitive penalties were relegations from the schools with so‐called wolf’s ticket, forbidding sentenced students to continue secondary and higher studies in Prussia (Germany). Among those penalized were a few future Catholic priests — those were able to continue their education for the Chełmno diocese bishop, Bp August Rosentreter, refused to relegate students from Theological Seminary. (more on: pl.wikipedia.orgClick to attempt to display webpage
[access: 2018.11.18]
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sources

personal:
www.wtg-gniazdo.orgClick to attempt to display webpage
[access: 2012.11.23]
, pl.wikipedia.orgClick to attempt to display webpage
[access: 2013.05.19]
, pliki.divart.plClick to attempt to display webpage
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[access: 2013.05.19]

bibliographical:
Biographical dictionary of priests of the Chełmno diocese ordained in the years 1821‐1920”, Henry Mross, Pelplin, 1995
original images:
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[access: 2021.07.29]
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[access: 2014.10.04]

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