Parsy, André
Item
Name
Parsy, André
Given name
André
Family name
Parsy
Relation
French YCW leader
One-line bio
André Parsy was a French YCW leader, who was sent to Germany on Compulsory Labour Service. There he helped organised YCW teams leading to his arrest after which he was sent to Spergau Disciplinary Camp then to Zoschen. He died in hospital on 26 December 1944 and was beatified on 13 December 2025.
Biography
Born on 24 December, 1922, in Roubaix (Nord), he was employed at the textile company "Fils de L. Mulliez, Phildar." He was a member of the Jeunesse Indépendante Chrétienne (JIC), before becoming the Jeunesse Ouvrière Chrétienne (JOC), the Jeunesse Ouvrière Chrétienne, which he led in 1943 in his Roubaix parish.
On 12 March, 1943, he was conscripted into the STO, the Service du Travail Obligatoire (Compulsory Work Service), created by a Vichy law to send all young men aged 20-22 to work in Germany.
In Germany, he was assigned to the Dicker and Werneburg company (Halle). He suffered from isolation and the prevailing amorality, which led him, like those Catholics arrested following the decree of 3/12/43, to create friendship groups, a library, and a sports and leisure service.
The forbidden activities proved to be linked to this ability to resist Nazi propaganda through concrete actions. He became head of his sector, in response to a request from Clément Cotte, a clandestine priest who arrived in Saxony in July 1943. He brought together seven members of the Young Christian Workers (JOC) federations in the region and maintained links with the leaders in Halle.
In accordance with the Nazi decree of 3 December 1943, against French Catholic Action among French workers in Nazi Germany, he was arrested on 4 October, 1944, in Eisleben because of his Young Christian Workers (JOC) activities. Interrogated at Halle prison, the Gestapo accused him of his activities in these terms: " You are the JOC leader of Eisleben. You receive all your orders from Suhard. This clearly shows the reason for your arrest. You are here to fight against National Socialism, and therefore against the morale of Germany." Eight leaders were imprisoned at Halle prison. The Nazis dangled the prospect of immediate release before them in exchange for renouncing their JOC ideals and placing themselves at the service of the Gestapo.
He was sent to the Spergau disciplinary camp on 21 November ; then to the Zöschen camp.
He died on 26 December, 1944 at the "Russian" hospital in Trebitz.
On 12 March, 1943, he was conscripted into the STO, the Service du Travail Obligatoire (Compulsory Work Service), created by a Vichy law to send all young men aged 20-22 to work in Germany.
In Germany, he was assigned to the Dicker and Werneburg company (Halle). He suffered from isolation and the prevailing amorality, which led him, like those Catholics arrested following the decree of 3/12/43, to create friendship groups, a library, and a sports and leisure service.
The forbidden activities proved to be linked to this ability to resist Nazi propaganda through concrete actions. He became head of his sector, in response to a request from Clément Cotte, a clandestine priest who arrived in Saxony in July 1943. He brought together seven members of the Young Christian Workers (JOC) federations in the region and maintained links with the leaders in Halle.
In accordance with the Nazi decree of 3 December 1943, against French Catholic Action among French workers in Nazi Germany, he was arrested on 4 October, 1944, in Eisleben because of his Young Christian Workers (JOC) activities. Interrogated at Halle prison, the Gestapo accused him of his activities in these terms: " You are the JOC leader of Eisleben. You receive all your orders from Suhard. This clearly shows the reason for your arrest. You are here to fight against National Socialism, and therefore against the morale of Germany." Eight leaders were imprisoned at Halle prison. The Nazis dangled the prospect of immediate release before them in exchange for renouncing their JOC ideals and placing themselves at the service of the Gestapo.
He was sent to the Spergau disciplinary camp on 21 November ; then to the Zöschen camp.
He died on 26 December, 1944 at the "Russian" hospital in Trebitz.
Country of origin
English
France
Geographic area
Nord
Birth date
December 22, 1922
Birth place
Roubaix
Death date
December 26, 1944
Death place
Trebitz, Germany
Movement
French JOC
Affiliation
French JOC