Dr. Ventresca featured in collection exploring the Holocaust

History Professor Dr. Robert Ventresca is featured in the collection, Advancing Holocaust Studies, which explores how scholars can continue to teach the Holocaust in current times - which can seem so bleak. Dr. Ventresca's essay is titled, Catholics, the Holocaust and the Burden of History. In the essay, Dr. Ventresca discusses the Vatican’s policies during the Second World War. It explores the Pope’s actions and if he acted morally as well as diplomatically with regards to the Holocaust. Dr. Ventresca also acknowledges the ethical responsibility of scholars to offer a moral evaluation of the historical subjects they study and teach.

Each contributor was asked to reflect on how their own personal journey led them to conduct research, writing, and teaching about the Holocaust. Dr. Ventresca states, “In my essay, I reflect on some of my concerns for the future, especially the evidence we see every day of systemic racism, rising antisemitism and increased reports of hate crimes.  I hope that my research and teaching as a historian working in Holocaust Studies can contribute, in some small way, to increasing knowledge and understanding of the root causes of racism and discrimination. And I hope that research and teaching about the historical roots of current inequities can help to promote tolerance, equity and reconciliation.”

Dr. Ventresca says he was honoured to be a contributor to the project. “Working with this special group of scholars, each coming from a different area of the diverse field of Holocaust Studies, has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career.” He feels very humbled to be part of this collection.

At King’s, Dr. Ventresca is a Full Professor of History where he teaches a variety of courses related to European and world history, the history of Fascism, the Holocaust and human rights. He is a Member to the Royal Society of Canada, College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. He is also an active member of the Committee on Ethics, Religion and the Holocaust at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.