mkf. A few days ago, the international news agency, Zenit, published an article containing an interview with Fr. Giancarlo Centioni about the illegal network Pio XII started to help Jewish people. In one line of this article, there is an incorrect reference to Fr. Kentenich and his role in this network, the German branch of which operated under a society called Raphaels-Verein, founded by the Pallotine Fathers. As a result of this article and the echo that spread both throughout the Schoenstatt Family and various other circles, it has become necessary to correct the information arising from a misunderstanding. Fr. Kentenich was not in any way involved in the noble activities of this association.
Fr. Ángel Strada and several other people investigated the matter and did not find any evidence in this regard. It seems that Fr. Alexander Menningen, one of Fr. Kentenich’s closest collaborators, worked with this association for several years. Jesús Colina, the Zenit founder commented: “I was also very surprised, but the priest being interviewed was absolutely certain about it. Perhaps he made a mistake regarding the characteristics and Fr. Kentenich’s work, since they didn’t live in the same country and it was difficult under those conditions. We are going to ask the Pallotine Fathers if they have information on the organization of the network.”
Without a doubt, it is true that Fr. Kentenich was firmly against National Socialism from the very beginning and it is also true that in at least one instance, he helped a German family who were in danger after having helped some Jewish people escape the Nazis.
We request that you please refrain from spreading this piece of incorrect information.
Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, Pretoria, South Africa
