Published: 2024-11-20

“Convicted for anti-state activities.” Criminal investigations against Roman Catholic clergy in the Ukrainian SSR at the turn of the 1920s and 1930s. Analysis of two cases

Piotr Olechowski
Saeculum Christianum. Historical Writings
Section: Rozprawy i Artykuły
https://doi.org/10.21697/sc.2024.31.2.17

Abstract

The text analyses two criminal investigations conducted against Roman Catholic clergymen in Podolia, within the borders of the USSR, at the turn of the 1920s and 1930s. During this period, the Roman Catholic Church was regarded as an anti-state institution, controlled by external forces from Poland and the Vatican. As a result, priests serving in the analysed area became the target of numerous repressions. However, before the sentences were issued, criminal investigations were conducted to demonstrate the clergy's guilt in anti-state activities. In practice, these proceedings relied solely on fabricated evidence and circumstantial clues. For this reason, the testimonies given by both priests were interpreted in a manner predetermined by the investigators.

Keywords:

Franciszek Trocki, Władysław Dworzecki, Roman Catholic Church, repressions, USSR

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Citation rules

Olechowski, P. (2024). “Convicted for anti-state activities.” Criminal investigations against Roman Catholic clergy in the Ukrainian SSR at the turn of the 1920s and 1930s. Analysis of two cases. Saeculum Christianum. Historical Writings, 31(2), 228–242. https://doi.org/10.21697/sc.2024.31.2.17

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