Omelian Kovch, martyr (1884–1944)

Biography

Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest, husband and father of six children, Omelian Kovch served as a military chaplain and later as a parish priest. During the Nazi occupation he denounced anti-Semitism and helped persecuted Jews, for which he was arrested and sent to the Majdanek camp. When his family tried to obtain his release, he asked not to do so: he wanted to remain to accompany prisoners of different nations and religions. He died in the camp in 1944, forgiving those responsible. He transformed captivity into a parish and closeness to suffering into a priestly ministry.