Josef Deckert
Encyclopedia
Josef Deckert also known as Francis, was an Austrian Catholic priest and anti-Semitic
agitator. Deckert was a propagandist of the blood libel against the Jews.
From the 1870s Deckert was identified with the Austrian anti-Semitic movement. He did not become prominent until the liberal press exposed some of his questionable business transactions. In retaliation he published a pamphlet on Simon of Trent
, in an effort to confirm the truth of the blood accusation (Ein Ritualmord Actenmässig Nachgewiesen, Vienna 1893). Actuated by the same motive, he induced the convert Paulus Meyer to write an account of a ritual murder which he pretended to have seen in 1875 in Ostrow
, Russia
. The story was published in the Vienna Vaterland, and the parties named as perpetrators in the crime brought a libel suit against Meyer and Deckert, the latter being sentenced (Sept. 15, 1893) to a fine of 400 florins ($160).
Deckert continued to preach anti-Jewish sermons, which he published in his magazine, Der Sendbote des Heiligen Joseph. To one of these sermons he appended a "prayer for the distress caused by the Jews" (1894), a travesty of the "Lord's prayer" in the most infamous language. The government confiscated it. His violent diatribes were several times the object of an interpellation in the Reichsrat
, and evoked from the premier, Prince Windischgrätz
, the reply (May 27, 1895) that he regretted such expressions were heard from a Christian
pulpit. Nevertheless, the lawsuit brought against Deckert for inciting riots was dismissed (Jan. 14, 1896). He continued his tirades with a collection of sermons under the title Juden 'raus! (Out with the Jews), published in the same year. He became popular with the anti-Semitic city government, and in 1899 was given the Salvator gold medal, the highest distinction in the gift of the city. He, however, bequeathed in his will a sum for charity to be distributed without regard to religious distinctions. He died in Vienna on March 21, 1901.
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
agitator. Deckert was a propagandist of the blood libel against the Jews.
From the 1870s Deckert was identified with the Austrian anti-Semitic movement. He did not become prominent until the liberal press exposed some of his questionable business transactions. In retaliation he published a pamphlet on Simon of Trent
Simon of Trent
Simon of Trent ; also known as Simeon; was a boy from the city of Trento, Italy whose disappearance was blamed on the leaders of the city's Jewish community based on their confessions under torture, causing a major blood libel in Europe.-Background:Shortly before Simon went missing, Bernardine of...
, in an effort to confirm the truth of the blood accusation (Ein Ritualmord Actenmässig Nachgewiesen, Vienna 1893). Actuated by the same motive, he induced the convert Paulus Meyer to write an account of a ritual murder which he pretended to have seen in 1875 in Ostrow
Ostrów
Ostrów is a Polish name for a river island. It appears in many Polish toponyms:* Ostrów Lubelski, a town in Lublin Voivodship * Ostrów Mazowiecka, a town in Masovian Voivodship...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. The story was published in the Vienna Vaterland, and the parties named as perpetrators in the crime brought a libel suit against Meyer and Deckert, the latter being sentenced (Sept. 15, 1893) to a fine of 400 florins ($160).
Deckert continued to preach anti-Jewish sermons, which he published in his magazine, Der Sendbote des Heiligen Joseph. To one of these sermons he appended a "prayer for the distress caused by the Jews" (1894), a travesty of the "Lord's prayer" in the most infamous language. The government confiscated it. His violent diatribes were several times the object of an interpellation in the Reichsrat
Reichsrat (Austria)
The Imperial Council of Austria from 1867 to 1918 was the parliament of the Cisleithanian part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Herrenhaus and the Abgeordnetenhaus...
, and evoked from the premier, Prince Windischgrätz
Alfred III, Prince of Windisch-Grätz
HSH Prince Alfred III of Windisch-Grätz was a Bohemian nobleman and Austro-Hungarian statesman. He was President of the Herrenhaus from 1895 to 1918. He was a Great-Grandfather of HRH Princess Michael of Kent.- External links :* - See also :* Portrait...
, the reply (May 27, 1895) that he regretted such expressions were heard from a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
pulpit. Nevertheless, the lawsuit brought against Deckert for inciting riots was dismissed (Jan. 14, 1896). He continued his tirades with a collection of sermons under the title Juden 'raus! (Out with the Jews), published in the same year. He became popular with the anti-Semitic city government, and in 1899 was given the Salvator gold medal, the highest distinction in the gift of the city. He, however, bequeathed in his will a sum for charity to be distributed without regard to religious distinctions. He died in Vienna on March 21, 1901.
Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography
- Mittheilungen aus dem Vereine zur Abwehr des Antisemitismus;
- Oesterreichische Wochenschrift, passim;
- Neue Freie Presse, March 23, 1901.