Marceli Godlewski

Marceli Godlewski (15 January 1865 – 25 December 1945) was a Polish priest who saved Jews during the Holocaust by hiding them, assisting in escapes, and issuing fake baptismal certificates. From 1915 until 1945, Fr. Monsignor Godlewski was a priest in Warsaw's All Saints parish, which became part of the Warsaw Ghetto in 1940. He was also a prelate, social activist, National Democrat politician and member of the Polish National Committee (1914–1917).

Biography

Godlewski was born in Turczyn on 15 January 1865, the son of Ignacy and Katarzyna (née Kuczyńska). He graduated from the seminary in Sejny in 1886, was ordained a priest in 1888, and then studied in Rome, where he earned a doctorate in theology in 1893. In 1896 he moved to Warsaw where he became a professor at the seminary (1895–1902) and vicar of Holy Cross Church. In 1915 he became pastor of All Saints parish, a position he held until his death. After 1918, Godlewski moved away from social activism and focused on parish work, but also became politically involved. In 1930, he joined the National Party.

The exact dimensions of his change in actions are controversial, if not his attitude toward the Jews. For example, there is a question as to whether (or how many) baptisms of Jews occurred. Nor is it clear how many persons were spared from the persecution by his actions.

Father Godlewski was one of the subjects of the 2017 documentary film All Saints' Oasis, which was directed by Roman Dobrzyński.

The Warsaw Ghetto Museum recognized his humanitarian efforts in episode 5 Grzybowski Square of its 16-part short-guided tour series, 'Remnants of the Warsaw Ghetto'.

Selected publications A Good Catholic Among Protestants Dobry katolik między protestantami, 1897 Symbolic images of a sinful, justified and sanctified man Obrazy symboliczne człowieka grzesznego, usprawiedliwionego i uświęconego, 1897 Biblical Archeology (the first Polish textbook on the ancient history of Palestine) vol.1 1899, vol.2 1903 Archeologia Biblijna (pierwszy polski podręcznik do historii starożytnej Palestynny) t.1 1899, t.2 1903 Practical examination of conscience: (on the sacrament of penance) Praktyczny rachunek sumienia: (o sakramencie pokuty), 1900 Jesus, Mary, Joseph: a book for devotion Jezus, Marya, Józef : książka do nabożeństwa, 1901 Holy Father Pius X: short biography, decorated with a portrait and some drawing Ojciec święty Pius X: krótki życiorys, ozdobiony portretem i kilkoma rysunkami, 1903 In defense of the Church: a polemic with Lutheran pastors W obronie Kościoła: polemika prowadzona z pastorami luterskimi, 1904