Seasons of Grace
In 1976, the Argentinian military overthrew the government of President Isabel Perón in the so-called “Dirty War.” In the ensuing nine years, the dictatorship suppressed “subversives”–abducting, torturing and even murdering as many as 30,000 people.
At the time of the Dirty War, a 39-year-old Father Jorge Mario Bergoglio–the future Pope Francis–was head of the Jesuit province in Argentina.
There have been conflicting stories about what he did during the dark years of dictatorship:
One rumor is that he did nothing, or worse–that he cooperated with the regime in its roundup of priests, intellectuals and others who opposed the junta.
But Italian investigative journalist Nello Scavo uncovered the truth, showing how Father Bergoglio had built an elaborate network consisting of clandestine passageways, secret hideouts, and covert automobile rides, to save people from torture.
Bergoglio’s List is the story of how he risked his life to save about 100 people who had been identified as “enemies” of the Argentinian junta, and how he warned dozens more who were able to escape before the authorities could come to arrest them. The author has included ten personal stories of people who credit Bergoglio with saving their lives. Their testimonies bear witness to his courage and conviction:
“Bergoglio saved me by tricking the Secret Service.” –Father Jose-Luis Caravas
“Everyone knows he saved dozens of lives.” –Jose Manuel De La Sota
“This is the first time I have said this – He stopped a raid against me.” –Juan Carlos Scannone
Also included in the book are photos which tell the story of the “disappeared” and the people who loved them. The Appendix includes a transcript of Cardinal Bergoglio’s testimony in the ESMA Trial of 2010, part of an ongoing investigation into human rights abuses in Argentina, as well as a detailed timeline.
Bergoglio’s List, now available for the first time in English and published by Saint Benedict Press, is a riveting read.
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