Former inmates mark Auschwitz anniversary

“Auschwitz is a call for Christians to seek paths of reconciliation,” declared Bishop Piotr Greger during a mass at the former camp.

“This an appeal to all good-willed people, so that the tragedy at Auschwitz and many other places of extermination never takes place again in the history of mankind,” he said.

Seventy-two years ago today, on 14 June 1940, 728 political prisoners from the southern town of Tarnow were transported to the freshly created concentration camp of Auschwitz.

The vast majority of the first transport were Polish Catholics, typically connected with resistance movements.

Since 2006, 14 June has been Poland's official National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Nazi Concentration Camps.

The vast majority of the estimated 1.3 million people who died at Auschwitz-Birkenau complex were of Jewish background. Other prominent victims included ethnic Poles, the Roma and Russian prisoners of war.

Last week, members of the English, Dutch and Italian football teams visited the site, with Poland co-hosting the Euro 2012 tournament. (nh)