| November 5, 2007 | Volume 83, Number 1 | |
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On the way to sainthoodWhen Catholics celebrated the Feast of All Saints last week (Nov. 1), it was less than a week after the beatification of Franz Jagerstatter on Oct. 26. Many do not know the story of Franz, an Austrian farmer who was beheaded by guillotine because he refused to serve in Hitler’s Nazi army after he was drafted. He based his stance on the belief that one could not be both a Nazi and a Catholic. Just before he was beheaded on Aug. 9, 1943 at age 36, the simple farmer wrote: “I am convinced that it is best that I speak the truth, even if it costs me my life.” He wrote a final letter to his wife in which he said he hoped his life would be accepted by God as “atonement not just for my sins, but also for the sins of others.” While now on his road to sainthood for his strong faith, Franz had a difficult time from people one might have thought would be supportive of his stance. In 1940 after being drafted into the German military and undergoing basic training, he returned home in 1941 on exemption as a farmer. He closely examined his conscience (as we are all supposed to do) and felt his religious values as a Christian would not allow him to be part of Hitler’s plan for world power. Franz studied the issues behind Hitler’s fanatical domination of the Aryan race. He wrote a series of questions about the morality of the war that he then discussed with his bishop. After his meeting with the bishop, he was saddened that the bishop seemed afraid to confront the issues. A priest from his home parish visited Franz in jail and urged him to change his mind and serve in the military. He refused. The life of Franz Jagerstatter and his strong convictions as a Christian to hold on to Gospel values even when it meant defying civil authorities and accepting death is something to behold. He faced the consequences of his convictions while many others acquiesced to the status quo even though they knew Hitler’s plan was wrong. His courage to hold on to his faith is an important example in modern times, said Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, head of the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints’ Causes, at the beatification Mass in Linz, Austria. The issue of obedience to civil authorities when it conflicts with Gospel teachings is stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “The citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gospel. “Refusing obedience to civil authorities, when their demands are contrary to those of an upright conscience, finds its justification in the distinction between serving God and serving the political community.” Franz Jagerstatter, while not yet canonized, serves as an example of one to whom God has spoken and who fully embraces his teachings.
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