Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed

In February 1943, André Trocmé was away from home visiting parishioners who led the groups known as responsables, which were critical in Le Chambon’s rescue efforts. While Trocmé was out, Major Silvani and another officer of the Vichy police force arrived. Magda, Trocmé’s wife, showed them to Trocmé’s office. When he returned, they arrested him. Magda worried that his suitcase was not prepared. The villagers quickly learned of the arrest and came to say goodbye, bringing him gifts. Magda invited the police to eat supper with them before leaving, but Silvani was so overwhelmed with the moral weight of his orders that he couldn’t eat. As Trocmé was led to the police car, the villagers formed a line and sang a hymn in support of him. Silvani and his lieutenant then arrested Trocmé’s associates Édouard Theis and Roger Darcissac for participating in the refugee rescue operation. (In later years, Trocmé defended Silvani to restore his reputation in France.) Magda followed the police until they reached the town limits. The men were put on a train to the internment camp of Saint-Paul d’Eyjeaux.

The text describes the history of Protestantism in France.