‘To Be Assisted Secretly’: Catholic Humanitarianism and Romanian Displaced Fascists, 1945–7

Abstract

This article analyses the Catholic humanitarian assistance provided to non-Catholic fascists after the Second World War. It does so by investigating the assistance provided by Vatican networks to leading Romanian Orthodox fascists displaced in Rome. Drawing from Pius XII's pontificate archives, the article explores an encounter between the rescuers and the rescued inspired by distinct political and religious ideologies. The investigation examines the material aspects of the rescue and the political and religious factors that determined its secrecy. It focuses on the terms and outcomes of the rescue, particularly on its ideological tensions and mobilization attempts. The analysis sheds light on the agendas shaping Catholic humanitarianism and the reception of postwar relief. The findings reveal that humanitarian motives and the Roman Catholic Church's mission for Eastern Christianity prompted the Catholic clergy to assist displaced Orthodox Christians, particularly those fearing repatriation. Furthermore, the article sheds light on the brief postwar ‘Catholic turn’ of the Orthodox fascists. While Catholic humanitarians rejected proposals for alliances intended to advance the fascists’ activities, anti-communism briefly emerged as the minimal common ground that allowed Orthodox fascists and Catholic clerics to bridge their religious divide. However, the fascists abandoned the dialogue once relief ended, underscoring their opportunism.