Faith and Fatherland

<p>Jesus instructed his followers to "love your enemies do good to those who hate you bless those who curse you pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28). Not only has this theme long been among the Church's most oft-repeated messages but in everything from sermons to articles in the Catholic press it has been consistently emphasized that the commandment extends to all humanity. Yet on numerous occasions in the twentieth century Catholics have established alliances with nationalist groups promoting ethnic exclusivity anti-Semitism and the use of any means necessary in an imagined "struggle for survival." While some might describe this as mere hypocrisy <em>Faith and Fatherland</em> analyzes how Catholicism and nationalism have been blended together in Poland from Nazi occupation and Communist rule to the election of Pope John Paul II and beyond. </p>