Catholic circles were indignant today at a trick played by adherents of major Ferenc Szalassy, Hungarian Nazi leader, to use the church for political purposes.
A number of Nazis, it was related, called upon priests with requests that they celebrate the mass for the dead for one “Ferenc Living.” The priests, assuming that the requests were made in good faith, agreed to carry them out.
Subsequently, however, the Nazis broadcast through their organ the information that on a given day and at a specified hour mass would be said for the liberation of their leader, now appealing a recent sentence of three years’ imprisonment at hard labor.
On the date given, detachments of Nazis, wearing the green shirts of their organization with the party insignia in their buttonholes, filled the pews of the church. The priest proceeded to celebrate mass for the fictitious deceased, “Ferenc Living.”
The purpose of the stratagem was apparently double-pronged–to show their Nazi colleagues that prayers for the liberation of their Chiertain were recited in a Catholic church and to demonstrate to the authorities that the Nazis are good, church-going Catholics.
The Catholic press published vigorous protests against the trick.
Major Szalassy appeared in court today to appeal his sentence, meted out to him for subversive activities. After a brief session the hearing was postponed to next Wednesday. A cordon of police completely surrounded the central courthouse as the prisoner was conducted there from his cell.
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