Jules-Gerard Saliége was born in the Auvergne, France, in 1870. He joined the priesthood and was associated with the liberal wing of the Church and for many years was a member of Sillon, the reformist group founded by Marc Sangnier.

In 1929 Saliége became Archbishop of Toulouse. Three years later he began suffering from paralysis that affected his speech as well as his legs.

In August, 1942, Saliége criticized Henri-Philippe Petain and Pierre Laval for allowing the rounding-up and deportation of foreign-born Jews living in Vichy France. In a sermon that was published as a leaflet, Saliége pointed out that "women, men, fathers and mothers are treated like a vile herd, members of the same family are separated from each other and shipped off to an unknown destination; it has been reserved to our times to see these sad spectacles."

The following year Saliége also opposed the forced labour policy of the Vichy government. In June, 1944, the Gestapo began arresting Saliége's friends but he was spared because of his physical infirmity.

After the war Saliége became increasingly radical and was a prominent spokesman for the working-class in Toulouse. Jules-Gerard Saliége died in 1956.

 

 

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(1) Jules-Gerard Saliége, published sermon (28th August 1942)

There is a Christian morality, there is a human morality which imposes duties and recognizes rights. These duties and rights are derived from the nature of men. It is in the power of no mortal to suppress them.

Christian, women, men, fathers and mothers are treated like a vile herd, members of the same family are separated from each other and shipped off to an unknown destination; it has been reserved to our times to see these sad spectacles.

Jews are men and women. Foreigners are men and women. There is a limit to what can be permitted against them; against these men, these women, against these fathers and mothers. They belong to the human race. They are our brothers like so many others.

 

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