Soviet Union Archives

Soviet prisoners of conscience petitioned St. John Paul II for help

May 13, 2020

Soviet political prisoners from various backgrounds begged St. John Paul II’s help in secret messages after his 1978 election, according to a former inmate in recollections published for the late pope’s hundredth birthday.

By Jonathan Luxmoore

New Lithuanian cardinal, ‘strong internally,’ spent time in Soviet prison

Sep 21, 2019

Lithuania’s new cardinal, a veteran of Soviet prisons and labor camps, counts on not being assigned “specific duties” following his elevation so he can continue serving his local church.

By Jonathan Luxmoore

George Weigel weathering turbulent times with stouthearted friends

Apr 15, 2018

In George Weigel’s latest book, he’s not reflecting on the Pope Francis era, but the entire global situation over the last quarter-century.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Archbishop to become Lithuania’s first beatified Soviet-era martyr

Jun 10, 2017

Soviet-era Lithuanian Archbishop Teofilius Matulionis will be beatified on June 25 in Vilnius. Archbishop Gintaras Grusas of Vilnius, president of Lithuania’s bishops’ conference, said the martyred prelate had “offered up his sufferings for the conversion of Russia,” while also “moving the church forward” by instructing clergy to remain with their flock even if it meant persecution and exile.

By Jonathan Luxmoore

One hundred years later, Fatima’s message still echoes

May 7, 2017

In 1917, meaning, purpose, value, along with transcendence, dignity, and benevolence were rapidly being shed, and this interior emptiness was fueling humanity’s ungodly rage and desire for annihilation. It was into that environment that Mary injected herself in Fatima, bringing a message of light and hope.

By Father Jeffrey F. Kirby

Priest shipped to gulag who stayed to serve is beatified

Sep 14, 2016

A Polish priest who was arrested by the Soviets in 1940 and charged with being a “Vatican agent,” who was then shipped off to Kazakhstan and who volunteered to stay even after his release to minister to other Catholics sent to the gulag, was beatified on Sept. 11.

By Catholic News Service