By Pjeter Pepa
The first part
Memorie.al / “December 11, 1946 – “Weapons in the Church” are discovered; The Franciscan Assembly is seized! Arrested and tortured: 1. Monsignor. Frano Gjini; 2. Monsignor. Nicholas Deda; 3. Father Mati Prendushi; 4. Father Cipirian Nikaj; 5. Father Pal Dodaj; 6. Dom Tom Laca; 7. Dom Ndoc Sahatçija; 8. Father John Karma; 9. Dom Nikol Shelqeti; 10. Father Mhill Miraj; 11. Fra Zef Pllumi etc. Of course, we are dealing with a dictatorial state specialized in slandering and changing the truth, but also in selecting, changing and transforming documents. The witnesses of the first days of the overthrow of the dictatorship, have seen with their own eyes, how the Police Stations and the Departments of Internal Affairs, so taboo and untouchable, were burned, until the previous days…!
Of course, they, the secretaries of the writers of those documents, chose and kept what they needed, what served them and everything compromised the punished as much as possible, to justify the crimes committed by them. They kept everything that served to justify the discrediting, for the “guilty of the defendant”, and nothing that could compromise or incriminate them themselves. Therefore, there is nothing in this direction about tortures developed, violent “depositions” taken from those poor defendants, as what the criminals wanted. Therefore, even these that have been stored in the Archive of the Ministry of the Interior, the only ones that can be used nowadays, are no exception in this regard. There are many who drowned during torture, for whom there is not even a single document, no matter how small.
But it is not for many others, although they have been judged by the so-called; “Court of the people”. Where can a document be found, for Dom Zef Marksen, and how many other colleagues of his, convicted and then even shot, without even the smallest sign of files and documents. Openly in this direction, the trial of Pater Pjeter Meshkalla, to which all the citizens of the city of Shkodra are witnesses, how it developed and how sadly, as we will see below, will be documented in these archives. In them, as I expressed at the beginning, you only have “soil to pollute…hardly the truth”, and every time the historian will face them, he will sign with despair: where is the trial, where are the lies slander, where is the truth?! The immoral, manage to document in their files, material and moral accusations, how to discredit the Catholic Clergy in any way, under any circumstances, in front of the people, who, in turn, knew well the morals of the persecutors, their perversity, starting from the biggest one, the dictator Hoxha himself, who was talked about so much since his school days in Paris, to his small image, the prosecutor Aranit Çela.
And, until the end of this whole massacre, even in the Albanian Parliament, they themselves as well as their sons wanted to pass on all those crimes, with only an amnesty, that is, a “disgusting pardon”, and not their innocence! Of course, in the face of the truth, the Catholic Church has never been afraid and there was no reason to be afraid this time either. She is not afraid because Christ’s apostles themselves were people like all the others, who accepted and repented of their weaknesses, mistakes and faults. Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint Dizma, etc., are significant examples in this regard. But when the immoral, under psychological and physical torture, kill for politics and seek to find and wear moral defects in those who are truly holy, in relation to their dirty morals, this goes beyond any goal.
And, we are dealing with such a case even now. The eternal motto of the Clergy has been: “For Faith and Homeland”. He has always carried out his mission, to serve the people and to be by their side, in the worries of material and spiritual life. Not getting involved in politics has been his eternal path, but when the fate of the nation was in danger, when the danger to his people was evident, he was forced to participate actively in this direction as well. Next to the Albanian flag, before the interests of the homeland, he has always been, sacrificing everything and why not even his life, since Bogdani, Kaçorri, Bumçi, Prennushi, Doda and many others. But the people in power wanted to push this much further.
The press and propaganda did not know where and how to stop, with the sole purpose of annihilating the entire Albanian Catholic Clergy as soon as possible. Surprisingly, weapons were found in Albanian churches, in Shkodër, yes, but also in Mirdita and in Rubik and elsewhere. Even in other European countries, as we will see below, the same scenario was applied; or to say, that’s where it came from. Seized and returned to the investigator and prison, the Assembly itself. So now, although so quickly after two years, it is the turn of the Franciscans. The mixing of Father John Shllak, first of all, with the Jesuits, was unfortunately a misfortune and “accident” for him. He had special values, it was to say the “ideologist” and philosopher who replaced Father Anton Harap with dignity, and moreover even at a very young age.
The order of the Yugoslav ambassador had to be fulfilled immediately, so he had to go with priority, he was in vain with the Order of Jesuits, which would be eliminated first, having a majority of foreigners, Italians. It had to be done as soon as possible, the isolation from the outside world, in order to properly and systematically start the suppression and retaliation inside, without anyone knowing. They were almost mostly Italians, they had ties to the West, ties that had to be cut quickly and finally, otherwise how could the whole massacre that was planned to be carried out be carried out. They even had good theoretical and practical preparation against communism and had given evidence in this direction. But now, it had been done, even with that, the first great blow; detection of terrorist organizations.
Now it was the next turn: the second big hit with the sinister name of “Guns in the Church”, which unfortunately will have even more victims, that is to say all those who have more value left. There are many who will go straight to justice with the event and the trial, but there will be an even greater number of others who will go as a consequence of “knowing or not reporting; concealment or non-acceptance”, and how many other later “revelations” related to them, which unfortunately we will have the opportunity to present in the future. Now, the second strike or the second drama, as we have called it, will present two acts because, after the first victims, the venerable clergy who are shot “for guns in the church”, it will soon be their turn to be imprisoned and the shooting of those who had implemented the famous scenario and had introduced these weapons into the Franciscan Church in Gjujadol.
They were young and they had been promised and they had believed that this was how they would make a career, but they did not think that afterwards the evidence and traces of this crime had to disappear, so they too had to be eliminated. So, let’s dwell in particular on this event, which is really the second and most powerful blow that the dictatorship gave to the Albanian Catholic Clergy. In fact, it happened to other intellectuals and nationalists; it also happened in other countries outside of Albania. It happened in almost all dictatorships. It happened even now in Albania. Here, the entire Catholic Clergy was annihilated, through almost 4-5 main scenarios.
We have read somewhere above, in the family of D. Zef Oroshi, how his father sheltered his son’s killer. That while the others were looking for him in the province, they came and found him, in the other room, while in one of them the corpse was placed for which the oil and the corresponding honor were placed. And while the ceremony was taking place there, in the next room over here, at the top of the fireplace, the old man offered cigarettes and coffee to the murderer of his son, who had knocked on his door without knowing where and how he knocked. Here is the norm of the Canon that is despised so much and so unfairly. This is the law that applied to our mountains, for which we were and are proud. But now such a norm immediately turned into a crime for the communist government. Therefore, whoever had to take out of the house, not to accept, his friend, his countryman, his fellow countryman, his fellow ideal and religion, because he was a fugitive, because he had gone to the mountains to God came to Albania, to his people, so that they would not suffer what they suffered during 50 years.
And this should be done by the priest and the friar. Even he, if he accepted such a “mange” or as it was called, escaped, he had to hand him over, sue him. He even told her everything he told her in the confession. And if he did not do this, he turned into a criminal, who had committed a great crime against the people of power. Here, then, is the first scenario that would involve a sizable group of clerics. Free speech, the desire for a free vote, pluralism and democracy, something normal for the other world, was here the second scenario, which was included in the “terrorist organization”. The killing of special people, the so-called people of Power, by their private enemies, and why not by the power itself, to organize further scenarios, to bring them out as “credible” saboteurs to fall other victims in their trustworthiness, has also eaten the heads of many other clerics.
“The overthrow of power by violence”, even if it is for a single word, a single private meeting, a meeting held for a completely different purpose, that is, it became true, only that the word is violence, which was allowed anywhere and everywhere, except in those countries where dictatorships ruled, it was the next scenario, let’s say the last one, because there is no need for more. With this scenario, almost most of them have been destroyed. All this was attributed to the Vatican, as the inspirer, the sworn enemy of the people of Freedom. All were labeled agents of the Vatican. That’s why he started with the biographical research, where and how he studied; why and how he welcomed fascism, Nazism. And, for their arrival in Albania, Dom Anton Muzaj was also massacred and punished with his friends, who were only 27 years old and had not even been a year since they had come from school, from Italy. Those who had given living examples of selflessness, honor and sacrifice during their lives were massacred and tortured, killed and drowned under torture. “Honest people rot where criminals are exalted”, – said the great Albanian, Sami Frashri, in one of his books.
This was happening this time, also in Albania. Clare’s merit is evident, for what he wants to see but of course; “There is no greater blind than the one who does not want to see…”! Historically, the Albanian Catholic Clergy has been scattered among the deepest and most dangerous recesses of the homeland, wherever there were Albanians and Christians. His merit, which everyone already knows, is that he worked for the Albanians in Albania, without ever leaving or avoiding economic difficulties, severe living conditions and, especially, persecution, which was not always shared with him throughout his life. his. He did not think and work to be a high official of the Sultan like the patriots: the diplomat Ismail Qemali a, the politician Pashko Vasa, but returned to Mirdita, like Abat Doçi, freedom fighter, or to Lure, like Dom Nikoll Kacorri, the fighter of Independence, returned to Kallmet of Lezha, as Monsignor Luigj Bumçi, the fighter for the integrity of the Albanian land.
Nor did he write in foreign cities or capitals, such as: Frashëriotët, Çajupi, Filip Shiroka, Asdreni, etc., but in the villages of the homeland, such as: Dom Ndoc Nikaj, Monsignor Vincenc Prennushi, Father Marin Sirdani, Father Bernardin Palaj, and others in a row. Nor did he enjoy the life of America, like: Konica e Noli, but he worked in Kukël, like Mjeda e, in Troshan like Fishta. He originated from the Albanian mountains and plains and, as he graduated in the most cultured centers of Europe, he returned there again, to the depths of the mountains, the valleys and caves, where there were Albanian people to enlighten their minds, to soften their hearts and to give them the right dignity as part of Europe. He dealt with European culture, became a bridge connecting Albania with Europe, had friends and collaborated with the West, made all efforts so that Albania and Albanians were always part of the West and Europe, fought orientalism like no other in thinking and acting and he often suffered severely and precisely for this alone.
However, always “frangar non flectar”, – he was broken to pieces, but he did not bow to any persecution and torment, even the last communist one. There are many examples in this direction. Let’s remember for a few moments, just a few of them: They brought the car to Dom Mikel Koliq’s house to escape, while the others ran away, including his brother, Ernest Koliq, but: “I am the shepherd of souls, the shepherd does not he never leaves his flock”, his answer. Father Anton Harapi, the only regent in the world, was in Germany in the summer of 1944, with sandals and bare feet, and it was quite easy for him to sit there, but let me tell you. Even the Germans proposed to take him with them, knowing very well what he would find. Even his colleague, Sulço Begu, proposes to take him to their home, in Podgorica, even the mountaineers wanted to escort him out of there, but no; – “…I want my bones to rest in that land, for which I tried and worked all my life” – is his answer.
“You will accompany the Apostolic Delegate, Leoni Nigris to Rome and you can stay there yourself”, is the proposal they make to Dom Tom Laces. But; “no”, is his answer: “I will fulfill my duty, I will return to where I have my flock… my Christians”! Father John Shllakun was warned that he would be arrested and massacred, so he took measures to escape, but “no”: “Let’s ask God to give us strength and heart, so that we can endure the difficult trials that he will let’s pass…”, is his answer. The same invitation, for rescue, is made to Monsignor Frano Gjini, from the fugitive mirditors, who loved and respected him so much, and the possibilities were quite easy; but “no”…”I have no one to leave the believers and the Church of Saint Lleshdri” is the only answer.
And such cases have no end to show, not that they could not, nor that they will, but that they did not want, or to be more precise, they wanted themselves, with a clear and complete conscience, to resist the evidence of difficult to approach, in exchange for the ideal of their faith, the path that they had chosen with full conscience. “Am I lucky with a martyr” – was the call of everyone. “Where would I have the luck to nail me to the cross, as my teacher was nailed and died. And you more, can you do”? would answer Patër Pëtër Meshkalla, the investigator who had tortured him and was surprised by his calmness. Well, exactly these would be “traitors of the homeland and the most dangerous enemies of the Albanians”, in the newly launched communist dictatorship.
These would be the “agents of all foreign agencies”, these “collaborators of the helper, these gravediggers of Albania”; these “robber exploiters”, of the people’s wealth, these “Jesuits”, “cynics”, “veladon-zezes”, “ravenous crows” of the fate of “happy and prosperous communist Albania”. And, by accusing them like this, these were the ones who taught the Albanians the ideals, for which it is worth sacrificing life, for “Religion and Homeland” by their example, deed and life, death; it was worth forgiving everything, enduring everything, suffering everything: “Bear and forgive one another; We also forgive the criminals, who have tormented us…even those who will kill our bodies…even them…even them…until the end…”! For the good of Albania and the Albanians, as their teacher himself loved and forgave them, who in his last breath on the cross, would say “Forgive, O Lord, that they do not know what they are doing”. So, this time we are dealing with exactly this most dangerous and damaging scenario; that of “Weapons in the Church”.
Let’s briefly refer to the book “The Dictatorship File”. Notice how the radio and press propaganda of those days was developed: “The numerous and different types of weapons that were found hidden in the Seminary, Assembly and other institutions, affirms the Franciscan provincial, Mati Prendushi, we guarded them very carefully. Weapon depots, a part of rifles, machine guns, bombs and mortars and the corresponding ammunition, we took from the Italian army…”! “The Altar of the Heart of Christ, in the former Franciscan Church Shkodër, where weapons of war (bullets, machine guns and bombs) are hidden above and at the bottom, to be used against the popular power…”! “In the altar of Saint Ndou, in the Franciscan Church, belt weapons were found.
A few days later, in the Great Church in Shkodër, German-made war weapons and boxes of ammunition were found…”. “On December 16, 1946, the state security section discovered weapons and other compromising materials in the Mirdita Abbey inside the Church and Cell…”. “The place where in 1946 weapons of war, rifles, bombs, machine guns hidden by the clergy in the Archdiocese of Shkodra were discovered…”! “Priest Donat Kurti, after breaking down the wall of his room, shows the place where the cache of hidden weapons was located that the Catholic Clergy had taken from the Germans” (Rakip Beqja, book “The reactionary role of the Catholic Clergy, material from the newspapers of the time, etc.)
After all this propaganda, here is its prologue: Not even two years had passed, from the third November, from the third “liberation”, and from the third hope, when, unfortunately, Albania began its captivity again. As soon as the dictatorship began, the archipelago of prisons and communist camps was formed, as soon as the Security began to be formed, which secretly and openly, would weave crimes. Anathemas were being released on the sons of Albania, and one of the first was falling on a religious Order. It was the Order of Saint Francis, the Saint of Peace who was baptized in Assisi in 1182, and throughout his life, he only spread faith and hope and opened only the paths of peace. Poor and afflicted all his life, he was buried of his own accord, outside Assisi, because it had to be, for everyone and for everyone. And with his death, one of the most powerful religious Orders began its journey.
“O God, make me an instrument of your peace/ Where there is anger, bring love,/ where there is insult, bring forgiveness,/ where there is deceit, bring truth,/ where there is doubt, bring faith,/ where there is despair, bring hope, / where there is darkness, bring light, / where there is sorrow, bring joy”. This was the prayer, this was the motto, this was the purpose and aim of the Order, of those who were scattered throughout the world. So: everything for others and nothing for yourself. With this prayer of the founder of the Order, the Franciscans were also established in the Albanian lands, seven centuries ago. With this motto, in mind and heart, they lived and worked for Fè and Atdhe, and where there was poverty and misery, they were there with their consolation and help. From the beginning, until our days, they continued the tradition of efforts, for national awakening and liberation, always finding themselves at the forefront, bringing light and hope, in the long and dark nights of the occupation, which unfortunately Albania did not you were never separated.
And, to the painful surprise, those who sacrificed the most gave the most, they were also attacked to the point of annihilation like no other. The more knowledge, culture and light they gave, the more they were called backward and dark. The more martyrs they gave, the more they were called traitors. The more blood they reconciled, the more they were called bloodthirsty. The more they said and defended the truth, the more they were called deceivers and liars. And this, unfortunately, would reach its peak, precisely in the 20th century. The communist dictatorship, with its fools, politicians and writers, court ideologues, prosecutors and artists, would smear them to the point of desecration, identifying them with betrayal and reaction, with agency and deception, with intrigue and immorality, and subjected to a holocaust, which in terms of its ferocity, would remain unique in the entire Albanian history, and why not perhaps in the world as well.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the younger generations, in the absence of real information, wander in wrong images, which undoubtedly history will correct, and will take them to their own place. But until then, whoever writes must reflect, something on that truth, because, putting a stone on that foundation, will put a stone on the future of the nation. Today, we are still in murky waters and we must admit that we have ruined history ourselves, and there is no reason to blame others. It is therefore the case, without any equivocation, to ask the question: Has the Albanian Catholic Clergy been anti-national and reactionary? Tribulations and death among nations and states create immortal monuments, because this world is built in such a way. Happiness in misery, greatness in pain, life in death, bring forth heroes who stand as immortal masterpieces.
In proof of this, since the first centuries, with their heads under the sword and blood up to their knees, the prelates of the Church worked and studied, enriching with dignity the religion they served. Even when from the North, no one could withstand the attack of the barbarians, when the Huns and Visigoths had brought the world under the claws of ignorance, the Church fled among the deserts, hid in the depths of the forests and there in solitude, among those huts of poorly dressed monks, poorly fed, without anyone forcing her, she studied and carried the treasures of world progress. Remove from the civilized world, the contribution that Christianity gave in ideas, laws and customs, in knowledge and art, in family and society, moral and material, and you will see that modern culture is greatly impoverished. What about in Albania? Let’s refer to “ad fontes”, history and facts, to evidence something about this truth, so trampled, by the inverted communist history.
We will see from the facts that, in the year 53, before going to spread Christianity in Rome, St. Paul would stop in Durrës. So, Albania would be Christian, before other European countries, and to prove it, salvations and murders, martyrs and martyrs of religion would begin in the first century. “Often, I shut myself in my library, writes Ali Podrimja, there in a dark corner, I remember a church there in Majna and the candle I had lit, after a long journey I had made, to meet Saint Alban from Illyria, who since the 3rd century, year 286, in the German space, had spread Christianity, and the German Church, had declared it holy… While during a hot summer, in one of the many libraries of the Vatican, I browsed carefully the Bible, the translation of which was made by Saint Jerome, Illyrian from Dalmatia, since the 4th century.
And when I left the library, the endless corridors, I felt as if I heard the voice of the Albanian Pope, Clement XI, and I don’t know if Europe can forget Mother Teresa, from modern times.” With these examples, which highlight the former Illyria, and today’s Albania, Mr. Podrimja wants to bring a message: “There is a lot of Christianity for Albania, and with a legitimate pride, it confronts any people of the Balkans. “In Hoc Signo Vinces”, that is, with this sign you will win, is the mysterious sign that Constantine the Great would see during the battle at the Bridge of Milvi, near Rome, the year 312, which made him win and later reform Empire, to fight schisms and divisions, to unite the provinces…! Perhaps, this is also where Albanian pride can begin, as long as this symbol is also Albanian. (A. Plasari – ‘Theodosi’s line reappears’. 1992 p.58). Europe must remember with respect, the Catholic alliance with Skanderbeg, which gave rise to the terrible Empire of the time of the sultans, who were committed to sticking the crescent moon over St. Sophia in Istanbul and dressing horses in St. Peter’s Court in Rome. Memorie.al
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