In 1936 , Cardinal Hlond , as Primate of Poland issued a pastoral letter on Catholic moral principles . The long ( 5600-word ) letter covered Catholic ethics policy , ethics principles and a section on " sins " ( '' Z Naszych Grzechów '' ) that addressed Christian shortcomings to love one 's neighbours in accordance with God 's law . The latter section included a brief discussion of the " Jewish problem " ( '' Problem żydowski '' ) : So long as Jews remain Jews , a Jewish problem exists and will continue to exist ( ... ) It is a fact that Jews are waging war against the Catholic church , that they are steeped in free-thinking , and constitute the vanguard of atheism , the Bolshevik movement , and revolutionary activity . It is a fact that Jews have a corruptive influence on morals and that their publishing houses are spreading pornography . It is true that Jews are perpetrating fraud , practicing usury , and dealing in prostitution . It is true that , from a religious and ethical point of view , Jewish youth are having a negative influence on the Catholic youth in our schools . Hlond tempered these remarks with an admission that " not all Jews are this way " and forbade assaults on Jews or attacks on their property : There are very many Jews who are believers , honest , just , kind , and philanthropic . There is a healthy , edifying sense of family in very many Jewish homes . We know Jews who are ethically outstanding , noble , and upright . One may love one 's own nation more , but one may not hate anyone . Not even Jews . ( ... ) it is forbidden to demolish a Jewish store , damage their merchandise , break windows , or throw things at their homes ( ... ) it is forbidden to assault , beat up , maim , or slander Jews . One should honor and love Jews as human beings and neighbors Yet , despite a warning to Catholics not to take an anti-Jewish moral stance , interspersed in the letter 's words of friendship was an explicit condemnation of Jewish culture and also Judaism for its rejection of Jesus Christ . It is good to prefer your own kind when shopping , to avoid Jewish stores and Jewish stalls in the marketplace ( ... ) One should stay away from the harmful moral influence of Jews , keep away from their anti-Christian culture , and especially boycott the Jewish press and demoralizing Jewish publications . ( ... ) We do not honor the indescribable tragedy of that nation , which was the guardian of the idea of the Messiah and from which was born the Savior . When divine mercy enlightens a Jew to sincerely accept his and our Messiah , let us greet him into our Christian ranks with joy . Hlond 's letter was criticized by Polish Jewish groups who saw it as offering support and a rationalization for antisemitism . What also caught the attention of historians was the remark about not hating anyone , " not even Jews " , implying " not even enemies " . Were Jews to be loved as neighbours or enemies ? However , while Hlond promoted the expulsion of German civilians after World War II , he had always consistently condemned the Nazi persecution of the Jews . Controversy was caused by Hlond 's reaction to the Kielce pogrom , that took place in Polish town of Kielce on July 4 , 1946 . While condemning murders , Hlond denied the racist nature of this crime . He saw pogrom as a reaction against Jewish bureaucrats serving Communist regime . This position was echoed by Cardinal Sapieha , who was reported to have said that the Jews brought it on themselves
Kielce pogrom
Kielce pogrom
August Hlond