BL. VILMOS APOR, BISHOP OF GYÖR, MARTYR

BL. VILMOS APOR, BISHOP OF GYÖR, MARTYR - 2 APRIL

BLESSED VILMOS APOR, BISHOP OF GYÖR, MARTYR

Vilmos Apor de Altorja was nobly born in 1892. He felt called to the priesthood, and after his studies was ordained a priest on August 24, 1925. He worked in various parishes and as an army chaplain. In 1941, Pope Pius XII appointed him as a bishop. He took formal possession of his new episcopal see in March 1941. He was well known for his commitment to the people and his activism. He became noted for his strong dedication to the poor and his tireless commitment to a range of social justice issues.

HE OFFERED SAFE HAVEN IN HIS RESIDENCE

On the afternoon of March 28, 1945, as Soviet troops reached his diocese he offered safe haven to numerous women and children in his residence and also protected women who feared being raped. Four or five drunken Soviet soldiers arrived with the intention of bringing 100 women to their barracks but Apor had them well-hidden in the cellar. He refused to give them up and a long altercation saw an officer making threats with his gun and soon gave chase to a girl who came out of her hiding place; the girl screamed "Uncle Vilmos! Help!" and he ran to her defense and shouted at them: "Out! Get out of here!" The officers turned to leave but one officer turned around and opened fire with a machine gun that shot him three times.

HE WAS MARTYRED

He died from his injuries not long after in the afternoon of April 2, 1945. His remains were buried in a Carmelite church; his confessor was the Carmelite priest Erno Szeghy who had served as such since 1943 or 1944. His remains were later relocated to the diocesan cathedral.

Information from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilmos_Apor

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