“This simple plaque tells a powerful story” I begin. The Kállai Ferenc Plaque stands unassuming on a wall. Yet it commemorates an extraordinary man. Father Kállai Ferenc was a Catholic priest. He served as a military chaplain. During the Nazi occupation of Hungary he saved Jewish lives. He risked his own life to help others.
Kállai Ferenc was born in Szeged on December 8 1894. He was ordained in 1917. He served as a chaplain for various military units. He later became a chaplain for the 9th Military Hospital in Budapest. This was from 1935 to 1940.
In 1940 he was appointed chaplain for the 11th Regional Military Hospital. This is where his courageous actions began. He contacted the National Resistance Movement. He worked tirelessly to rescue people from forced labor. From 1944 he focused on saving Jews. He even forged baptismal certificates for many of those he helped. His actions did not go unnoticed by the Arrow Cross authorities.
The night of October 28 1944 changed everything. An unknown man visited Kállai Ferenc’s apartment at Mályva Street 23. The man asked the priest to administer last rites to a sick person. Kállai Ferenc went with him. His body was found the next morning. A post-mortem examination revealed he had been executed.
His selfless actions cost him his life. Yet his legacy lives on. The Kállai Ferenc Plaque is a symbol of his bravery. It reminds us of the importance of standing up for what is right. Even in the face of overwhelming adversity. He received the Righteous Among the Nations award in 2004. His memory deserves to be honored. His heroism is a testament to the human spirit. This plaque serves as a poignant reminder. A reminder of the sacrifices made during dark times. Let’s remember Kállai Ferenc’s unwavering courage. His actions were an inspiration. A beacon of hope in the face of darkness. His story deserves to be shared.