World War II
Splett was appointed the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Culm by Pope Pius XII on 6 December 1939. Polish historians accused Splett of being too close to the Nazi regime, they noted he had close relations to Nazi Albert Forster (who praised Splett's work for Germany). Splett replaced Polish clergy with German one fait, introducing 200 German priests into Chełmno diocese where he took office from December 1939. Under his reign Polish priesthood was oppressed and prayers and masses under his direction praised Hitler. He also issued a ban against use of Polish language in churches. When he banned confessions in Polish in May 1940 Vatican intervened and ordered that the ban be lifted. Not only did Splett defend his ban, he argued it was to “protect” people making the confessions. After this argument he tried to claim that confessions in Polish are used for “nationalistic means”. Eventually Vatican accepted his explanation. Besides banning Polish language, Splett ordered removal of Polish signs and names in graveyards from monuments and graves and in all churches under his jurisdiction.
Despite officially banning the Polish language, Splett unofficially supported priests who continued to use Polish language. He also supported some Polish refugees hiding from the Nazis, and provided financial aid to the families of priests arrested and killed by the Nazis.
Read more about this topic: Carl Maria Splett
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