Memoirs of André Trocmé

André Trocmé (1901–1971) is best known for his role in saving thousands of Jews from the Nazis during World War II, for which he and his wife, Magda Trocmé, were named “Righteous among the Nations” by the Holocaust remembrance center Yad Vashem. As Protestant pastor of the village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, France, he organized a rescue network to hide Jewish refugees. His bold deeds were rooted in his understanding of Jesus’ way of nonviolence and his work as a pastor. After World War II, André Trocmé became a leading voice for pacifism and reconciliation, working for conflict resolution in Algeria and Morocco and serving as European secretary of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation for twelve years. He wrote two books, published in English as The Politics of Repentance and Jesus and the Nonviolent Revolution.Patrick Cabanel, a professor at École Pratique des Hautes Études, is a French historian specializing in the history of religious minorities and French resistance to the Holocaust.Patrick Henry is professor emeritus of philosophy and literature at Whitman College. He is the author of five books.Mary Anne O’Neil is professor emerita of French, Spanish, and world literature at Whitman College.

“A unique addition to the literature of ethical action during the Holocaust . . . these memoirs tell a story of spiritual growth, framed in the landscapes of world war and social upheaval. . . . With the advent of the Second World War, Trocmé reflects on the nature of moral choice. ‘We do not decide to be nonviolent or truthful in advance as if we had an outline, a moral blueprint to follow automatically. Events appear almost always as a series of little, unexpected problems we must solve one at a time. We choose between two alternatives, one of which, in the final analysis, appears closer than the other to the laws of Jesus Christ. In that moment, one is sure of nothing.’ Trocmé’s story, available in English here for the first time, teaches us how to act when we are sure of nothing.” —Kirkus Reviews“A brilliant critical edition of the unpublished memoirs of Trocmé’s. . . . The text is remarkably honest and transparent, perhaps to the distress of descendants of some of the actors. His descriptions of the Rockefeller family, of American “high society,” as well as of French Protestants provide fascinating insight. . . . The narrative of the ministry in the industrial north of France provides an intimate view of the difficulties of industrial workers. . . .  The introduction and epilogue by Cabanel frame the volume beautifully, and are important contributions to French social history and the study of French Protestantism.” —David Bundy, Religious Studies ReviewTrocmé's memoir is at once both dense and lively reading. . . . His gracious, expansive voice and willingness to live out his deep commitment to nonviolence offer modern audiences committed to human dignity a three-dimensional mentor for our own troubled times. —Englewood Review of BooksWhile he is remembered for his actions during the Holocaust, Trocmé’s own memoirs treat his activities in organizing the community to shelter Jews as simply one task among many in his life of faithful obedience. . . . This ordinary life is a remarkably faithful life, and that is the point. Who will be faithful in crisis, a time when one must make difficult and dangerous decisions that imperil one’s own life? As Trocmé realized, he could do nothing other than what he did, by virtue of having spent a life obeying God’s call. —Mere OrthodoxyThe great gift of this book is to place the narrative of the war within the whole of Trocmé’s life . . . showing the larger context. . . . Trocmé shows the varied elements that led him to become a pastor and a pacifist – but he also details the tragedies that rocked his faith and what held it together afterwards. This is a compelling read. Highly recommended. —Canadian MennoniteA story of contrasts and convulsions . . . Trocme's memoir is a detailed account of one man’s response to the particular challenges he faced as his world fell into war. But it also speaks to how Christians in other times and places should respond to the challenges they face. “From crisis to crisis, the political pendulum swings, from right to left, from left to right,” he wrote. “The extremists always lead the way. They tear up the streets and smash the shop windows. The ‘politically neutral’ always close their eyes and ‘wait for it to pass.’ They get out while the getting is good. Meanwhile, the nonviolent, never neutral, never violent, maintain contact with their friends and enemies, correct falsehoods and join forces with all those fighting for justice, truth and peace.” —Baptist News Global

• Introduction1. Childhood2. The Family3. First World War 4. Refugees in Belgium5. School of Theology6. In the Army7. Civilian Again8. The United States9. Magda10. Maubeuge11. Sin-le-Noble12. Le Chambon13. War Again14. City of Refuge15. Imprisonment16. In Hiding17. The Resistance18. Tragedy19. Liberation20. The Collège Cévenol21. House of Reconciliation22. Some ConclusionsEpilogue