separateurCreated with Sketch.

Meet Bl. Vilmos Apor, a bishop who died defending women

Vilmos Apor
whatsappfacebooktwitter-xemailnative
Philip Kosloski - published on 08/30/21
whatsappfacebooktwitter-xemailnative
Bishop Apor was shot by Soviet police while defending women who were in hiding in fear of being raped.

During World War II, Bishop Vilmos Apor was a strong advocate for all the oppressed, especially Jews who were being taken away by Nazi soldiers.

He would often use his own episcopal residence to shelter those who were being persecuted, while he would use a small room for himself.

After the Nazis were driven out, the Soviet government stepped in and enacted their own atheistic regime.

Again, Apor would advocate for anyone who was being oppressed and this made him a primary enemy of the Soviets.

It all culminated on March 28, 1945, which was Good Friday that year.

Several drunken Soviet soldiers invaded his residence and were looking for women they heard were hiding there. The women were hiding in Apor's residence in fear of being raped by the soldiers.

Apor wouldn't give-up their location, and when a girl started to run away from her hiding place, a Soviet soldier started running after her.

Bishop Apor stepped in his way and one of the soldiers shot him. He remained alive for a few days longer, but ultimately died on April 2, 1945.

St. John Paul II praised Apor's example at his beatification ceremony in 1997.

Bl. Apor's example remains an inspiration to many in Hungary and abroad, an example of a true shepherd, willing to lay down his life for his sheep.

Did you enjoy this article? Would you like to read more like this?

Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. It’s free!

Tags:
Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.