Have you heard about the Lion of Münster? This title was unknown to the people of Münster until March 1946. We are standing in front of St. Joseph. It is closely linked to a significant figure.
Let me introduce Cardinal Clemens August von Galen. He was the Bishop of Münster. The people later called him the Lion of Münster. Cardinal Frings mentioned this nickname in his funeral sermon.
Von Galen served as bishop from 1933 to 1946. He bravely spoke against the Nazi regime. This put his life at risk. Clemens August von Galen encouraged people to remain true to their faith. The Nazi Party was spreading racist and pagan ideas. He urged people to uphold moral law. The party believed might makes right. He told people to resist evil. This was regardless of the risk. He reminded them of a German official. This official refused an unjust order. He said his head was for the king. His conscience was not.
Von Galen is famous for his sermons in the summer of 1941. He spoke against the Gestapo’s injustices. He condemned the seizure of religious orders’ houses. He denounced the killing of the handicapped and mentally ill. Germany was successful in the war at that time. His actions were very brave. He knew he might be criticized. Some would say he was weakening the home front. He argued that injustice weakened the home front. He predicted Germany would collapse. This collapse would come from inner decay. This would happen despite the bravery of soldiers. Local Gestapo officials wanted him arrested. They wanted him publicly hanged. Berlin argued against this. Making him a martyr would hurt the war effort. Joseph Goebbels said revenge is best served cold. They would deal with him after winning the war.
Von Galen’s opposition to Nazi ideology started early. In 1934, he condemned Alfred Rosenberg’s racist ideology. In 1936, he spoke of fresh graves. He referenced Catholics killed by the Nazis. He fought for Catholic schools for years. He inspired Pope Pius XI’s encyclical. He printed more copies than any other German bishop.
There is a story about a Nazi heckler. This heckler interrupted his sermon on family life. The heckler shouted that a celibate cannot talk about family life. The bishop pounded the pulpit. He shouted back that he would tolerate no reflection on the Führer in his cathedral.
Cardinal von Galen’s struggles are timely. We can learn much from his fight for life and faith. May he inspire us. May our devotion lead to his canonization.
Now, think about the courage it took to stand against such darkness. Consider the Lion of Münster’s roar. It echoes even today within the walls of St. Joseph.