Jewish group questions sainthood for WWII-era cardinal
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A leading Jewish organization has criticized the Vatican's decision to move World War II-era Cardinal August Hlond along the path to possible sainthood, saying he was "extremely" hostile to Poland's Jews and failed to condemn a 1946 pogrom.
In a letter to top Vatican officials released Wednesday, the American Jewish Committee said it was "profoundly" concerned that Pope Francis had approved a decree recognizing Hlond's "heroic virtues," the first main step in the sainthood process.
AJC's director of interreligious affairs, Rabbi David Rosen, cited a 1936 pastoral letter Hlond wrote in which he urged Poles to stay away from the "harmful moral influence of Jews."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hlond is highly respected in overwhelmingly Catholic Poland for having kept the faith strong and protected the church's independence during World War II.