"spies of the Vatican" The bishop, Hitler and the Securitate
The Stalinist show trial against the so-called "spies of the Vatican," in 1951 in Bucharest
By William Totok
From 10 to 17 September 1951 was held in Bucharest one of the most horrible, Stalinist show trials in the history of Romania. The 10 defendants in the so-called "trial of spies in the Vatican" - the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Timisoara, Augustin Pacha (arrested on 18 July 1950), the secret Bishop Joseph [Iosif] Schubert of Bucharest (February 17, 1951), the pastor of the Italian Church in Bucharest, Pietro Ernesto Clemente Gatti (8 March 1951), the rector of the theological seminary in Timisoara and secret bishop Adalbert Boros (March 10, 1951), the episcopal secretary of Timisoara, Ioan canon [Hans] Heber ( March 10, 1951), head of the episcopal office, Provost Iosif [Josef] Waltner (13 March 1951), translator of the Italian Embassy in Bucharest, Eraldo Pintori (April 27, 1951), former school inspector and deputies in the Grand National Assembly, Vice Chairman of the illegal Christian Social Party, Lazar Stefanescu (4 May 1951), the chairman of the same underground party and former school inspector, Gheorghe Sandulescu (May 13, 1951) and the Bucharest doctor, Petre Topa (14 May 1951) - sentenced in September 1951, Bucharest Military Court to heavy prison sentences. Heading the group was convicted of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Timisoara, Augustin Pacha (* 26 11th 1870 - † 4 11th 1954) who was sentenced to 18 years in prison. The text published here
to the process is an excerpt from one written by William Totok book that is soon to appear under the title "The bishop, Hitler and the Securitate.
(...) In order to prove the subversive activities of the Vatican, created the Securitate artificial ties between three different actions: 1) Hitler audience, 2) espionage and 3) anti-communist resistance. This created the impression
operational links. Pacha itself served as an example of the Holy See informative controlled infiltration. Therefore, he was a Hitler sympathizer, as an enemy of the regime and denounced anti-Communist workers of the Anglo-American spy network. To construct a direct line between the political accusations, and the Italian Embassy in Bucharest was mitimpliziert in the process. The message was considered a hub of the western secret services and as a secret supporter of an active anti-communist underground resistance group. For this reason, were on the dock except Pacha and three Catholic dignitaries from Timisoara - Hans Heber, Josef Waltner and Adalbert Boros - also the founder of the illegal Christian-Socialist Party - Lazar Gheorghe Stefanescu and Sandulescu. Between the representatives of these two groups existed no connections. You did not even personally met and probably for the first time during the trial.
To counteract a possible Catholic opposition and to make an additional example was in the same review process also accused the Bucharest secret Bishop Joseph Schubert and sentenced. Schubert was attributed to the role of the Vatican's "mole" after the closed diplomatic mission of the Holy See and the Papal Nuncio of the country was made.
What the intelligence and the military prosecutor to the public within one week of 10 to 17 September 1951, presents corresponded to the classic pattern a conceptual process. The accused should: 1) tied legally as human beings, 2) destroy historical propaganda as individuals, and 3) should be a deterrent sets an example. The process corresponding to the concept, the historical events on a pre-programmed, primitive scheme to reduce the irrational simplifications of the Stalinist-communist world view could be adjusted. This view corresponded to the other an equally simple world view, which in its primitive than the legal existence of a hostile and treacherous group allowed no nuances. Therefore, the defendants had in the public, as criminal, immoral and unpatriotic agents in the service of imperialism, fascism and Anglo American are represented and have a show trial, the humiliation endured.
Organized in Bucharest criminal proceedings against the "agents in the cassock" bears the signature of the Moscow show trials. It is similar but also the processes that have been instigated in other Eastern bloc countries against religious dignitaries, such as in November 1950 in Czechoslovakia "against the agents of the Vatican and Bishop Stanislav Zela (1).
striking on the term of the Securitate , accessible documentary material, the conceptual consistency between the while the preliminary investigation extorted statements, witness statements and stored during the process confessions. The officials at past mistakes, and often only clerical, are of minor importance and have fixed dramaturgy not affected. The margins are due to the amateurish work of the Securitate are noticed during the process to anyone, although the total acceptance of the accusations and the filing of extensive confessions within the meaning of the indictment confirmed the suspicion that the accused had been carefully instructed. This follows at least from the 14 November 1991 filed the request of the rehabilitation after the turn of the Titular Archbishop appointed Adalbert Boros, the insured, to have been forced to learn the "Text of the process" to heart. (2) is also for this reason was a revocation of the statements made during the preliminary investigation is practically impossible. Only certain formulations in the mandatory self-accusations and confessions put certain, barely perceptible accent. The absence of a legally guaranteed final word or a laconic last word is synonymous with a silent protest against a staged process and reveals the courage of a lone defendant. Such indirect refusal gesture afforded by all the defendants only the Bucharest secret Bishop Joseph Schubert. His laconic final word consisted of two sentences; they contain such a thing as a secret message to the audience in the hall, his tormentor, and not least to posterity:
"Mr Chairman, Honourable Court. During the examination, you have all heard about me and learn of me having done. . I am what I am concerned, add nothing and expect full trust your fair decision "(3) have
Whether in detail on the proposed - and probably also rehearsed - the end of the process and the West by the German observer Irma Loos described ritual greeting of the bishop had heard two of his former employees, is not apparent from the record. When the court takes a break, Irma Loos writes, "raises Pacha - greeting - or blessing hand to the audience, and before the group is led out of the defendants, two of them kiss his hand. I can perceive nothing in them, which might suggest any mistreatment. You look pale - some are already one year in prison -. That's all I see "(4)
To dispel any doubts about the voluntariness of the confessions and the legality of the proceedings, corresponded to the formal the usual sequence - the rule of law laminated - Schema, so the requirements of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The desired behavior of the accused is a prerequisite for the smooth conduct of the proceedings. The defendants accept the axiom of the prosecutor and ask for a light sentence. Except Josef Schubert. The request is supported by pointing out during the preliminary investigation to have filed false or full confessions.
led and directed the production process, the Securitate, while the judges, prosecutors, witnesses for the prosecution, defense counsel, the accused and the hand-picked audience became actors in a sinister spectacle. The defendants - the victim of a criminal system - should the general public with the stigma of a fictitious debt provided offenders are presented, which actually were only scapegoats and were intended to intimidate potential copycat criminals and the discouragement of any resistance. This corresponded to a fully sprung reason paranoid terror mechanism, one of the interrogators his victim - NS Rubashov - tried to explain in the novel "Eclipse" by Arthur Koestler: "The experience teaches (...), that one for the masses difficult and complicated processes must be simple and tangible explanations. As far as I know the story, I see that scapegoats have always been an indispensable institution. "(5) The world public should ultimately represented by the Facts, though not convinced, then at least be informed. The proposed response to the process can be understood within the context of the published in the international press releases and reports. (6)
A both propaganda and the deterrence and intimidation service role should also play a 1952 published in Bucharest brochure (7) and Detailed reports from the Romanian press, especially those from the German-language daily newspaper "New Way". A similar goal is also pursued in East Germany by Ludwig Renn (8) report published volume, "From the old and new Romania". The last chapter of the book is exclusively devoted to the process. Eyewitness Ludwig Renn gave it a masterpiece of journalistic twist of art, taking inspiration in particular from the indictment, the prosecutor and contributes to some of his own, the "incorruptible class standpoint" committed impressions. However, the combined observations in a diary of the above, now-forgotten West German author Irma Loos, who was allowed to pursue a foreign guest the process happening on the ground, is a prime example of unscrupulous tendency literature.
The actual course of the process can be reconstructed on the basis of the record. The trial lasted from 10 to 17 September 1951 and took place before a military tribunal in Bucharest, its chairman, Major General Alexandru Petrescu was, as prosecutors went to court prosecutor Captain Ovidiu Teodorescu, and the Special Court prosecutor Colonel Aurel Ardeleanu. The trial began on 10 September at 9 clock in the morning with the reading of the indictment, the so-called "Introductory Unit (9), which is based on the written summary of preliminary investigations by the Securitate (10).
first The trial, Monday, 10 September 1951
clock 9: Start of the trial. Reading of the indictment.
Here are several short breaks during the questioning of Augustin Pacha, Joseph Waltner and Joseph Schubert. The hearing has probably been broken off against 20 clock.
second The trial, Tuesday 11 September 1951
8:45 clock: Survey Adalbert Boros, Clement Gatti, Eraldo Pintori, Petre Topa, Gheorghe Sandulescu, Hans Heber. At 19:45 clock the hearing was canceled, set to continue for the next day at 8:30 clock.
third The trial, on Wednesday 12 September 1951
interrogation of witnesses, Franz herbs, Hildegard Reissner, Gerda core Weiss (where Schubert contradicts his statement vehemently), Christine Dewald (11), Maria Judith Fenyvesi, Eva step (12), Ioana Niculita, Mihai Rotaru, Emil Riti, Eusebiu Cutcan, Gavril Salajan. The trial is stopped at 19:40 and continued the next day at 8.55 clock.
4th The trial, Thursday 13 September 1951
testimony of other witnesses: Ioan fish, Sebastian Constantinescu, Gheorghe Grecu, Ion Popovici, Paulina Epuran, Petre Niculescu, Alexandra Dozzi, Zoltan Ferenczy, Stefan V. Radu, Ion M. Alecu, Gheorghe Craciun, Maria Popovici, Petre Sagiu, Marinescu Vasile, Elisabeta [Hildegardis] Wulff. has
(was originally 28 prosecution witnesses testify in court (13), defense witnesses are not given during this farce. Mihoc Martin and Stefan Tataru were not released. In the records there are no explanations for their absence.
5th the trial, Friday, 14. September 1951
The start of the trial, the defense of the accused was given is not recorded in the minutes. The following lawyers were in charge of the defense: Savin Ladislau for Augustin Pacha, George Dumitrescu (Josef Schubert), Roman Manole (Clement Gatti), N. Hogas (Adalbert Boros), Barbu Solomon (Joseph Waltner), Vasile Gheciu (Hans Heber), Victor Lazarescu (Gheorghe Sandulescu), Constantin Constantinescu (Petre Topa), Eugen Ionescu (Lazar Stefanescu) and Mihail Mayo (Eraldo Pintori).
was on the last trial for the accused the right of a final opinion - granted - the so-called "last word. All of which made use of. To Clock 21 is repealed and the meeting adjourned to Monday at 12 clock.
6th Day, Monday, 17 September 1951
The composite of the following persons military court - Court Chairman, Major General, Dr. Alexandru Petrescu; members: Court Lascar Petrovici Colonel, Colonel Ioan Petreanu Court, Court of Colonel Nicolae Grigore and court Lieutenant Colonel Aurel Casandra - announced the verdict No. 1228th The full text of the appeal was the accused - according to protocol - the first in the prison of Jilava read. At the same time, they were also informed that they may raise objections within four days of protest against the verdict. (14) Pacha makes such as this right and a day is later its on an already pre-typed sheets written objection (15).
The indictment contains the full range of Stalinist Diskreditierungsattribute that include all activities of the defendants as evidence for their unbridled hatred of the working class, their deliberate betrayal the interests of the Romanian People's Republic and its infiltration activities of the people's democratic state. (16)
In the process Pacha put off a full confession, which met his written observations. It is contradicted by the prosecutor in the indictment held view that he had the classification of priests and laity in the German ethnic group operated (17).
the questions during the hearing were for Bishop Pacha and secret bishop Boros translated into Hungarian, Italian Pintori ins. After the other defendants had to leave the room, began questioning the grotesque Pachas. Since the survey was carried out with the help of the interpreter, the dialog is similar in places, an absurd piece.
PRESIDENT: You are already old, want you want or do you sit? PACHA
ACCUSED AUGUSTIN: I stop.
PRESIDENT: Ask the accused, since he knows when Scherer? What passed for relations between the two?
defendants: I know Scherer since 1933.
PRESIDENT: What kind of relationship where it?
ACCUSED: I theologians sent abroad to Germany because there had been at the universities of Romania no Catholic theology faculty. Scherer was the secretary of the St. Boniface 'Association and came across this property in Timisoara.
PRESIDENT: There you have got to know Emily Scherer?
ACCUSED: Yes, in Timisoara.
PRESIDENT: Were you in Berlin in 1934?
ACCUSED: I stayed there for 5 days.
PRESIDENT: Who organized this trip to Berlin?
ACCUSED: This trip was organized Scherer.
PRESIDENT: From Who was the accused during this trip accompanied?
ACCUSED: From my close relatives, Franz herbs (18).
PRESIDENT: When he arrived in Berlin, has taken its close relative herbs immediately contact Scherer?
ACCUSED: Immediately. He met me at the station.
PRESIDENT: What he has discussed with Scherer about the objective to Hitler audience?
ACCUSED: Scherer told me: "You are a Roman Catholic bishop and the majority of your creditors are German, and because the propaganda of Hitler is directed against the Catholics, it would be good if you took in connection with Hitler to turn it on attention to this issue make "
PRESIDENT:. What was the response that the defendant had given to the proposal of Pacha Emil Scherer? Was he immediately agreed with the audience or did he in this connection included contact with someone?
Defendant: I did not immediately responded, I asked for a cooling-off to the Berlin offices of the Vatican link up to see if she agrees that I apply for this audience.
PRESIDENT: Who was the Vatican official in Berlin? Who was the Papal Nuncio?
ACCUSED: Cesare Orsenigo (19).
PRESIDENT: Has he taken to Cesare Orsenigo contact?
Defendant: I am in the company of herb immediately went to him.
PRESIDENT: What he has spoken in this context, Orsenigo?
Defendant: I said what I had come Scherer, that I would like to request an audience with Hitler. He understood that and gave me an answer.
PRESIDENT: What did he say it?
defendants: He replied that after he proposed that I would like to call on Hitler had realized that I should raise the matter there.
PRESIDENT: Has he specifically said what he had to talk to Hitler? Was told him that he had also the consent of Orsenigo, when he went to Hitler, or not?
ACCUSED: Yes.
PRESIDENT: Has He said nothing to him?
Defendant: I do not understand your question.
PRESIDENT: When he spoke with Orsenigo, this has told him he could tell Hitler that he knew of it? Orsenigo him an audience with Hitler has approved?
ACCUSED: And he has given me no power, but he told me not to tell Hitler that he knew it.
PRESIDENT: What he was after this conversation with Orsenigo (20) the audience with Hitler and how did the audience?
ACCUSED: Scherer then arranged the whole thing, because I told him I would go for an audience with Hitler, which he made all the preparations.
PRESIDENT: With whom he was in an audience with Hitler?
ACCUSED: Even Hitler's deputy, Rudolf Hess, was present there.
PRESIDENT: No, with whom he went to Hitler?
ACCUSED: I went along with the deputy Franz herbs.
PRESIDENT: And then there was also Rudolf Hess? What a conversation he had with Hitler?
Defendant: I introduced myself to Hitler and said that I was a Roman Catholic bishop in Romania that the majority of my faithful were German and that I bring him greetings from them.
PRESIDENT: What he asked of Hitler and what does this tell him?
Defendant: I asked Hitler, not to allow his political propagandists, a dishonest to pursue policies that lead to a split in the community of my German believers, because they are set against the Catholic Church.
PRESIDENT: Who has taken the word of Pacha?
ACCUSED: Then herbs has taken the floor, the leader asked him some information about the conditions in which the Germans lived in Romania.
PRESIDENT: What did Hitler want to know mainly about the Germans in Romania?
ACCUSED: Hitler expressed a particular interest in the material situation of Germans in Romania and promised to ban his propagandists to continue their dishonest propaganda.
PRESIDENT: Was the audience come to an end, or ...
ACCUSED: The audience was over and I went along with herbs still back in the same week to Romania.
PRESIDENT: What is Pacha after his return to the country of his audience with Hitler?
Defendant: I was reading at the time the Bucharest newspaper and saw that Nicolae Iorga had sent an inquiry about my audience with Hitler to the Senate. I have also read other newspapers and saw that she commented on this audience.
PRESIDENT: The defendant Pacha to tell us what his attitude towards the German-fascist organizations from dam Banat.
ACCUSED: Since the majority of my faithful Were German, I could not face these organizations are indifferent, because in this case would have been a big part of my faithful ignored me.
PRESIDENT: And then you have been heavily involved in the demonstrations - or not?
Defendant: I was with some of these rallies.
PRESIDENT: Which manifestations of fascist organizations have taken part are you?
ACCUSED: That was a long time ago, I can not think of two.
PRESIDENT: What were they?
Defendant: I took part in a rally that took place in Timisoara, which was organized by Andreas Schmidt, Hitler's deputy and representative in Romania; It was organized by the student youth rally, on which I too had been involved.
PRESIDENT: How did Augustin Pacha his presence to the participants in the protest itself?
ACCUSED: Since the vast majority belonged to the German student youth, which had appeared in masses and with the usual collection of the arm - the Hitler salute - greet, I replied with the same salute, so they feel that their bishop is on their side.
PRESIDENT: In addition to this, do you remember also to other rallies?
ACCUSED: Such a demonstration of the German ethnic group in which I participated, was held in New-held Arad, where I greeted with a raised arm with the Nazi salute and was greeted.
PRESIDENT: What kind of services demanded of the leader of the German-fascist organizations regarding the schools of him? He has performed these services?
Defendant: I think it was in 1941 when I received a letter from Andreas Schmidt, in which he invited me to all the Catholic German schools, with all the wealth that they had to pass the German minority.
PRESIDENT: What did the accused? Did he immediately surrendered or has there been a conversation in this regard?
Defendant: I did not hurry me with the transfer because This required long discussions; now were all German teachers of the German national group.
PRESIDENT: Where did he had permission for the transfer of the schools receive?
ACCUSED: That was a difficult matter because it concerned a great many schools, I did not dare to do something in isolation and therefore asked for the approval of the Vatican.
PRESIDENT: How the Vatican responded to the request by Augustin Pacha?
ACCUSED: The Vatican sent me through the Nuncio in Bucharest, give the answer given to the schools of the German ethnic group to use, not in their possession.
PRESIDENT: In order to use. What position was the Vatican against the policies and activities of Augustin Pacha within the fascist organizations of the Germans?
Defendant: I have tried to maintain the unity among my faithful and upright, therefore, was there where I could, on their side.
PRESIDENT: No, that was the attitude of the Vatican towards the activities of the accused?
ACCUSED: Cassulo nuncio, who was then in Bucharest, was informed of all my actions and my attitude towards these groups and accepted them.
PRESIDENT: What kind of opinion about the defendant's violations of the laws of our country. He admits that he operated spy has?
Defendant: I admit this espionage activity against the Romanian state in favor of the Vatican, as I have done it already in my statement.
PRESIDENT: When and under what circumstances he began his espionage activities? I had started my espionage activities in the year 1923 (sic) when the Vatican appointed me to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Timisoara:
defendants.
PRESIDENT: What was this spying?
ACCUSED: This was based on the canonical law, which I had to send as a Catholic bishop from time to time reports from my parish (sic) to the Vatican.
PRESIDENT: What was in the sent to the Vatican Reports?
ACCUSED: In canon law provided 100 questions, the answer must be the Roman Catholic bishop of five to five years. He must personally deliver and apply for an audience.
PRESIDENT: What was in those reports, what was it for information?
accused: They related primarily to religious issues as well as military, political, economic and social affairs.
PRESIDENT: What was in the reports that you after Hitler seized power, in the period from 1941 to 1944, have sent to the Vatican?
ACCUSED: In addition to religious issues, these reports contained information about military Character, and also those of the number of conscripts for military service, the number of young Germans who were classified in the SS, on the mood in the army and the opinions of the Hitlerites about the war.
PRESIDENT: Do you have something the Vatican informed about the economic situation?
ACCUSED: Yes, I have also sent such reports, they referred to the living conditions and on the question of how the people of the progress of the fighting on the front assesses.
PRESIDENT: Who sent those reports and who was then nuncio?
ACCUSED: I have these reports sent to the nuncio, papal Nuncio was at that time Andrea Cassulo.
PRESIDENT: In what way do you have your espionage activities after 23 August 1944 continue?
ACCUSED: After 23 August Cassulo Andrea asked me to send him further reports, which I did.
PRESIDENT: what did this after 23 August 1944 written reports?
ACCUSED: The reports are based upon the written instructions given by Cassulo.
PRESIDENT: What was in it for military information?
ACCUSED: I can not answer this question precisely, because since a long time has passed, but I have provided only general information because I do not have access to accurate information had.
PRESIDENT: Which way do you have the information before and after 23 August 1944 collected?
ACCUSED: The information I gathered with the help of my priests and believers of some with whom I was connected.
PRESIDENT: With whom have you worked in the procurement of information from November 1947?
ACCUSED: From November 1947 I asked my priest to obtain information and send it to the nuncio. Among them was Joseph Waltner.
PRESIDENT: Did you also commissioned jack (21)
ACCUSED: Yes, I have asked him too.
PRESIDENT: Tell us some words about your espionage activities in the Period 1944-1950 - when you were arrested.
ACCUSED: Andrea Cassulo gave me the job in 1945, information about the Soviet troops who have moved through my diocese to send. Just as I was to report on the views of Soviet troops against the population or the welfare of the population against the Soviet army. These reports I have written in accordance with the instructions Cassulos. On 15 August 1945 I personally went to Bucharest, where I delivered an oral report.
PRESIDENT: With whom have you worked for Cassulo?
ACCUSED: Cassulo was nuncio until 1947 - when he left the country. I stayed to 18 September 1948 Roman Catholic Bishop of Timisoara. On Cassulo followed the new Nuncio O'Hara. When he took over the Nuncio, he gave a dinner, attended by several bishops.
PRESIDENT: What has been discussed on this occasion and what do you have for statements?
ACCUSED: Over dinner I told O'Hara that he was American, he had connections with the American Embassy and that he would leave with our help, the U.S. Embassy continue to play [information]. And so it happened. After the termination of the Concordat in 1948 by the Romanian Government, as the current regime enjoyed greater success, received the espionage activities for a broader base and an even more secret orientation. I was at that time the Bishops an unofficial letter in which I was informed that I will from now on information by trusted couriers to send and that I should be collecting information by trusted people. I was then already 80 years old, was ill and could not engage in this activity. I then asked Waltner Joseph, to whom I had confidence to gather this information and send it to the nunciature on.
CHAIRMAN: What sort of instructions you received from the Nunciature after Waltner had made contact with the nunciature?
Defendant: I asked Waltner, leading to the nuncio received instructions over and then me and to inform and when.
PRESIDENT: What did you say?
ACCUSED: One year later, he told me that he had spoken to Del Mestri that would have informed him that the spy network had to be extended. Since I was sick and old I could not follow the events.
PRESIDENT: Has he not given notice of the instructions Waltner, what would happen after the closure of the nuncio with the information?
ACCUSED: Yes, he told me that remain after the departure of the nuncio a person from the Nuncio and the Vatican continue to provide information will pass on. The name of the person he has not called me, he had no opportunity, for I was on 18 Arrested in July 1950.
PRESIDENT: He should say whether he has kept in the archives some documents showing his spying for the Vatican.
ACCUSED: Yes, up in 1948 has there been such.
PRESIDENT: What did he do with them?
ACCUSED: 1950 I have destroyed these documents.
CHAIRMAN: For what reason?
Defendant: I destroyed these documents because we had the idea that the authorities could prove the basis of these documents our espionage activities.
PRESIDENT: Those who have destroyed these documents?
defendants: Some of the documents were destroyed by Waltner and Heber, some of the most secret documents but was burned by me.
PRESIDENT: Admit the accused, precious metals and foreign currencies have possessed?
Defendant: I admit it, as I have been already made in my statement.
PRESIDENT: Do the comrades judge may ask a question?
GEN. JUDGE IOAN PETREANU (22): The defendant should we explain his relationship with Andreas Schmidt and tell us how often and why it has taken him to discuss what they have in?
accused: It was three plays with me. At the first meeting was also a farmer from Warjasch, Peter Anton, also, which played an important role in the German ethnic group. This was just a courtesy visit. This took about 15 minutes before 1, at noon, at a time when I usually ate lunch, out of courtesy I invited them to lunch. He then visited me in the same year two more times, I could not say for what reason, there was certainly no important occasion, he complained of some priests.
PRESIDENT: The meeting took place at least in connection with the German fascist organizations?
ACCUSED: Maybe he wanted to have it so, I have answered any event none of his visits.
PRESIDENT: Did the fellow prosecutors Any questions?
GEN. STATE ATTORNEY, COURT CHIEF OVIDIU TEODORESCU: The defendant testified that he had possessed precious metals and foreign currency funds and that he maintains his statement. Nevertheless, I want him representing us in detail, what type of precious metals, it has acted and what he has done so. As for foreign currency he possessed and what he has done with it?
Defendant: I had foreign exchange and gold. I can not exactly remember the weight of gold, it was about 1 kg. I thought before my death I could get my currency this can only old sister, so I hid it.
PRESIDENT: Where have you hidden it?
Defendant: I left my former secretary Michael get Will Young and asked him to hide it. After a few days he came to me and told me he had it hidden in the Roman Catholic Church in Kleinbetschkerek. I have taken this to the attention.
PRESIDENT: What happened to the dollar?
ACCUSED: From America, I received about $ 400. I got to see shows. I kept to myself 40 dollars, the rest I gave at the fair, some older priests.
PRESIDENT: In the market you have changed anything?
Defendant: I can not remember, I believe that the 40 dollars off the bench.
SPECIAL PROSECUTOR COL ARDELEANU: The accused may Pacha us to say whether the Vatican contained in the years 1938, 1939 and 1940 provided information related to the political activity of anti-fascist democratic organizations in the country and to detail what it was?
ACCUSED: I can not remember exactly, but I know for sure that was mentioned in the report from the year 1938 for the first time by the activities of the Communist Party because he had been asked of us, to report on the activities of this party , on the attitudes of the masses to this party and whether the masses to support this party. At that time the activities of the party was still very modest, so that I have very little information. I reported what I had heard.
SPECIAL PROSECUTOR ARDELEANU COLONEL: The defendant said in court by specific instructions and orders he has received from the nuncio. He should say whether he received other than the statements herein are also other commands from the Nunciature.
ACCUSED: I can not recall having received from the Nuncio other commands [mentioned] in addition to the.
SPECIAL PROSECUTOR ARDELEANU COLONEL: What do you remember in connection with the pastoral letter?
ACCUSED: This was an incident that had occurred later, on 3 June 1950. Wulff Hildegard [is] brought me a manuscript, as I could see was typed on the typewriter of Del Mestri was. I also received verbal instructions read the circular in all churches of the diocese to leave.
PRESIDENT: What was in this newsletter?
ACCUSED: I received the circular on Saturday afternoon, I read it and found that it contained insults to the government of our country and the regime and incites people against this regime.
SPECIAL PROSECUTOR COL ARDELEANU: Have you talked with someone about the newsletter?
Defendant: I have spoken with my priests, who were very close to me, and felt that a publication [of writing] for I would have serious consequences. Waltner was then traveled by plane to Bucharest, I was waiting for him so that he would give me some advice.
STATE ATTORNEY: What has published Waltner (sic)?
ACCUSED: Waltner said he was at Del Mestri actually seen a copy of this Circular and said that his reading would lead to the arrest of the bishop.
PROSECUTOR: What did Del Mestri respond to that?
ACCUSED: Del Mestri replied, in accordance with the Nunciature you've decided that a reading of the newsletter is more important than the arrest of the bishop.
LAWYER SAVIN: Comrade Chairman, the accused intended to Answer whether it is true that he had said after his return from the audience with Hitler in Berlin, Heber and Waltner, he had proposed to Hitler the cooperation of Church and Nazism.
PRESIDENT: (. Repeats the question)
ACCUSED: That has happened a long time ago, 18 years ago, so I can not remember, but I remember well that I never said such a thing.
LAWYER: He is to answer the question whether on his return from Berlin, the Catholic priests of his diocese had given the statement that both the clergy and the faithful of German descent to join the German national minority.
defendants: Such instructions, I had neither the clergy nor the laity granted.
ATTORNEY: The defendant is factually answer to the question of whether he after his removal from office as a bishop, after 18 September 1948, continues to espionage activities - from the collection or dissemination of information - was included.
PRESIDENT: The defendant has answered this question already.
LAWYER: On the approved sent by Del Mestri circular, which should be read in Timisoara Cathedral ...
accused: It was a very long manuscript, of which I used a quarter or a fifth, which I converted into a sort of sermon, which was held in the Cathedral of Timisoara.
ATTORNEY: Did he also read those sections that contained insults and slander of the people's democratic regime, or has he omitted it?
Defendant: I many of these insults and slanders have chosen, Heber and Boros helped me with the selection. I thought nothing more was left, but, as I heard later, was still a lot to stand still.
PRESIDENT: The meeting is set aside and continued against 17 clock "(23)
The process reflects in an exemplary manner that typical Stalinist conspiracy paranoia that all suspects agents and class enemies.. This is even more marked in the interrogations of the other nine defendants expressed. (...)
Fußnoten:
(1) VGL., Der Prozess gegen die in der Agenten des Vatikans Tschechoslowakei. Bischof und Komplizen Zela, herausgegeben we tschechoslowakischen Justizministerium, Orbis Verlag, Prag 1951.
(2) Adalbert Boros, "the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs, November 14, 1991, (An Staatssekretariat für das Kult, 14. November 1991), Archives of the National Council for Studying Securitate Archives, Fund Criminal [Fortan: ACNSAS] file 15,563, vol 40, Bl 45.
(3) ACNSAS, file 15,563, vol 8, Bl 328.
(4) Irma Loos Rumänisches Tagebuch 1951, Frankfurter Verlagsanstalt, Frankfurt am Main 1952, S. 88-89.
(5) Arthur Koestler, Sonnenfinsternis. Roman, Ullstein, Berlin 1979, S. 191.
(6) Zum Beispiel in der US-amerikanischen Presse: "Ten Go on Trial in Bangalore, confess" Spying "for the Vatican", in: The Washington Post, 11. 09. 1951, S. 3, "Death Is Asked. For 4 of 10 in Romania Trial ", in: The Washington Post, 15. 09. 1951, S. 3; "Rumania sentences 10", in: New York Times, 18. 09. 1951, S. 3; "Vatican Banishes Group in Rumania", in: New York Times, 19.09. 1951, S 17.
(7) The group of spies, traitors and conspirators in the service of the Vatican and the Italian intelligence center (Der Prozess einer Gruppe von Spionen, Verrätern and conspirators in the service of the Vatican and the Italian intelligence center), Editura de Stat pentru Literatura Stiintifica, Bucharest 1952nd
(8) Ludwig Renn (* 1889 - † 1979), Arnold Friedrich eigtl Viehth of Golßenau, aristocrat, novelist, English Civil War and Communist Party functionary, 1947 return to the Soviet occupation zone, in exile in Mexico. In 1950 he was questioned in the context of the Field affair, which he concealed some meetings with Mr. and Mrs. Field, as well as alleged and actual agents among the emigrants left in Mexico. For biography see: Bernd-Rainer Barth, Werner Schweizer, The Case of Noel Field. Key figure in the show trials in Eastern Europe. Prison years 1949-1954, base pressure, Berlin 2005, S. 390.
(9) Major Adrian Fratila justice, Attorney Bucharest Military Tribunal Chief Prosecutor "Introductory Essay" [after "preliminary research documents that make up the dossier on the allegations ...], 8 September 1951 (nach dem Abschluss Einleitendes Report Gerichtsmajor Adrian von der Voruntersuchungen Fratila, der Leiter des Bukarester Militärstaatsanwaltschaft Militärtribunals) ACNSAS, file 15,563, vol 4, Bl 1-48.
(10) Minutes after the conclusion drawn by Lt. Security research, Theodore Micle (erstellt von Securitateleutnant Protokoll nach Abschluss der Untersuchungen Micle Theodore), ACNSAS, file 15,563, vol 1, Bl 1-19.
(11) The minutes of the court hearing her name spoof. Instead it says in the Dewar Ewald. See, ACNSAS, dosar 15 563, vol. 8, f. 172 ff
(12) In the documents appear on the different names in different spellings. Eva step is, for example, with Nikolaus Engelmann Eva Fougere. See, Sabine-Else Astfalk, Josef Nischbach. A life of faith and nationality, collaboration: Nikolaus Engelmann and Alfred Huth, Editor: Country Team of the Banat Swabians National Association of Baden-Wurttemberg, Stuttgart 2000, p. 52
(13) See, list of witnesses, in: Maior de Justitie Adrian Fratila, Procuror sef al Parchetului Tribunalului Militar Bucuresti "Unit introductives [dupa" Actel ce formeaza dosarul cercetarilor preliminare, privind pe acuzatii ...], din 8 septembrie 1951 (Introductory Unit after the completion of the preliminary investigations of court Fratila Adrian Major, head of the Military Prosecutor of the Bucharest Military Tribunal), ACNSAS, dosar 15 563, vol. 4, f. 49-50.
See also: Proces verbal (sentinta-minuta) No. 1228, 17 septembrie 1951, (summary of the appeal), ACNSAS, dosar 15 563, vol. 4, f. 245 verso.
(14) Ibid, Bl 274th
(15) Ibid, Bl 275th
(16) See, ACNSAS, dosar 15 563, vol. 4, f. 1-48.
(17) Proces verbal. Interogatorul inculpatului Augustin Pacha, 10 septembrie 1951 (interrogation record of the accused Augustin Pacha, 10 September 1951), ACNSAS, dosar 15 563, vol. 4, f. 152-154.
(18) In the original misspelled: Kreuter Francisc. corrected in silence.
(19) In the original Mispellings Cezar. corrected in silence.
(20) Orsenigo Cesare (* 13:12 1873 in Villa San Carlo -.. † 01.04 1946 in Eichstätt), 1896 ordained priest, 1912 canon of the Milan Cathedral, Titular Archbishop of Ptolemais, Libya, 1922-1925 Internuncio in Holland, from 1925 to 1930 Apostolic Nuncio in Hungary. On 25 April 1930 he came to Berlin as successor Pacelli. He had two meetings with Hitler, one on 4 May 1939 on the Obersalzberg in Berchtesgaden and another ibid in November 1943. "At least in the early days" was when Orsenigo, "a certain sympathy for fascism and Nazism was there," says a church lexicon. See, Ekkart Sauser, Biographical-Bibliographical Lexicon Church, Verlag Traugott Bautz, Volume XXI, 2003, columns 1136-1140.
His conduct in Berlin against the Nazi regime is described as "cautious and timid." Orsenigo, it says, was "always trying not to offend." See Gerhard Besier, Francesca Piombo, The Holy See and Hitler's Germany. The fascination of totalitarianism, DVA, Munich 2004, p. 127
Can these properties Pachas attributed the statement during the investigation and during his interrogation in court, Orsenigo had advised him to maintain utmost secrecy on the visit to Hitler and not someone to trust that he had agreed with the audience?
(21) in the typescript has typed the name wrong: instead of properly Ebert lift.
(22) The name of the judge was added later by hand.
(23) hearing Pachas before the Bucharest Military Court on 10 September 1951, ACNSAS, dosar 15 563, vol. 8, f. 2-16.
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