BLESSED VILMOS APOR

Bl. Vilmos Apor

Feast day: April 2
Birth: 1892
Death: 1945
Beatified: Pope John Paul II


Blessed Baron Vilmos Apor de Altorja (February 29, 1892, Segesvar, Hungary - April 2, 1945, Gyor, Hungary) was the Bishop of Gyor during World War II who became famous for protesting against the persecution of the Hungarian Jews. He became a bishop only at the end of his life.


He was the "parish priest of the poor", a ministry which he continued as a Bishop during the dark years of the Second World War, working as a generous benefactor of the needy and the defender of the persecuted. He was not afraid to raise his voice to censure, on the basis of Gospel principles, the injustices and abuses of power towards minorities, especially towards the Jewish community.

In the image of the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep (cf. Jn 10:11), the new blessed lived his fidelity to the paschal mystery, ultimately making the supreme sacrifice of his own life. His murder occurred precisely on Good Friday: he was shot to death while defending his flock. Through his martyrdom he thus experienced his own Passover, passing from the heroic witness of love for Christ and of solidarity with his brothers and sisters to the crown of glory promised to faithful servants. The heroic witness of Bishop Vilmos Apor honours the history of the noble Hungarian nation and is held up today for the admiration of the whole Church. May it encourage believers to follow Christ in their lives without hesitation. This is the holiness to which all the baptized are called!