Fall 2007 Exhibit: The Rescuers
Artist’s Statement: John J. Corrado
Pastor Andre Trocme
“It Took A Village to Save A Village”
I was inspired by the story of Andre Trocme because of his passion for non-violence and his ability to stand up to the Nazis and the Vichy Government to save people. As he was quoted “These people came here for help and shelter. I am their Shepard. A Shepherd does not forsake his flock. I do not know what a Jew is. I know only human beings.”
Born in 1901 from a long line of Huguenots it is obvious that Trocme’s ancestry possesses a passion for non-violence.
In 1942, in a small village of Le Chambon in the Southeast of France, Andre Trocme, the pastor of a Protestant church, with the help of his wife Magda, his cousin Daniel, and the parishioners of his congregation gave shelter to any Jew who was seeking it. The refugees were sent from house to house throughout Le Chambon. Some became permanent residents and other were there temporarily until they could cross the border, mostly into Switzerland. The Nazis were informed of the efforts of Le Chambon and Trocme was arrested and released a short time later. Trocme was forced into hiding from the Nazis, while his congregation continued its efforts to save Jews until the end of the war.
It was estimated that at least 5,000 Jews passed through and resided in Le Chambon until the end of the war with the aid and encouragement of the local residents.
It took a village to save a village as depicted in my pastel drawing.