Denver, Colo., Jul 14, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Along side of the millions of Jews, horrifically murdered in the Nazi concentration camps of World War II, were an often overlooked segment of victims--Catholic priests. This is the backdrop for a new film by German director, Volker Schlödorff, called ‘The Ninth Day,’ a special viewing of which was held in Denver last evening.
The Chez Artiste theater on Denver’s south side was filled with supporters of Annunciation radio, who sponsored the premiere viewing. Also on hand for the event were Colorado Springs Bishop Michael Sheridan, concentration camp survivor Jack Goldman, one of the camp’s U.S. liberators, Dick Bayless, and religious history expert Dr. Seth Ward.
The film, based on a true story and one of the latest from award-winning Schlödorff, depicts the struggle of one Catholic priest against the Nazi regime and conflicting suggestions of how best to protect the Church--and his own life.
Following his release from the death camp of Dachau, German priest Henri Kremer learns that the Nazis are giving him nine days to convince his staunch Bishop to cooperate with their plans--and muster support from the Vatican, or else be returned to Dachau.