Aristides de Sousa Mendes - part 3

Aristides de Sousa Mendes

"I could not have acted otherwise, and I therefore accept all that has befallen me with love."

Erasmus+ 2020/2021

Part 3

Aristides de Sousa Mendes’ Act of Conscience

He disobeyed the infamous "Circular 14", exhibiting courage, unselfishness and self-sacrifice by issuing visas to all refugees regardless of nationality, race, religion or political opinions.

“I would rather stand with God against Man than with Man against God”

Aristides de Sousa Mendes issued thousands of visas in 1940, acting in defiance of the Portuguese government orders.

This heroic feat was characterized by the Holocaust historian Yehuda Bauer as:

“perhaps the largest rescue action by a single individual during the Holocaust.”

He wanted to save all those who had suffered indescribably".

He could not differentiate between nationalities, choosing to obey "the dictates of humanity, that distinguish neither race nor nationality".

https://bbb.blogs.sapo.pt/arquivo/gkihgiki%20copy.jpg (accessed on 11.05.2021)

"Through me it was Portugal that was being honored".

https://www.vaticannews.va/pt/papa/news/2020-06/papa-francisco-audiencia-geral-liberdade-consciencia-respeitada.html (accessed on 11.05.2021)