|
|
 |
|
CNS Story:
|
POPE-GALEN Oct-10-2005 (450 words) With photo. xxxi
Beatified German cardinal 'feared God more than man,' pope says
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- German Cardinal Clemens von Galen of Munster, an outspoken critic of Adolf Hitler's regime, "feared God more than man," Pope Benedict XVI said moments after the cardinal was beatified.
"All of us, but especially we Germans, are grateful that God gave us this great witness of faith who shined the light of the truth in dark times and demonstrated the courage to resist tyranny," the pope told German pilgrims Oct. 9.
Cardinal von Galen, who served as bishop of Munster from 1933 until his death in 1946, was beatified in St. Peter's Basilica during a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes.
At the end of the Mass, Pope Benedict entered the basilica, praying before the cardinal's relics and greeting the thousands of pilgrims who participated in the beatification of the cardinal, known as the "Lion of Munster" for his defense of the church under Nazism and his denunciations of Hitler's racial policies and of the regime's program of medical experimentation on the sick and handicapped.
Pope Benedict said Cardinal von Galen's courage was particularly remarkable at a time when "even strong people demonstrated weakness and cowardice."
The cardinal, he said, drew strength "from faith, which showed him the truth and opened his eyes and heart because he feared God more than man."
The pope also spoke about the cardinal during his midday Angelus address to thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square.
"In the name of God, he denounced the neopagan ideology of national socialism, defending the freedom of the church and human rights which were being seriously violated, protecting the Jews and the weakest individuals, whom the regime considered garbage to be eliminated," the pope said.
Pope Benedict said the message of Cardinal von Galen's life, a message still valid today, is: "Faith cannot be reduced to a private sentiment, perhaps to be hidden when it becomes uncomfortable, but requires consistency and bearing witness -- including publicly -- on behalf of man, justice and truth."
In his homily during the Mass, Cardinal Saraiva Martins said Cardinal von Galen's courage came from celebrating Mass and adoring Christ present in the Eucharist.
"In contrast to the deafening sound of military music and the empty phrases coming from the loudspeakers" of the Nazi rallies, he said, Cardinal von Galen let the silence of the Eucharist speak.
"In the Lord present sacramentally in the eucharistic bread, apparently defenseless and difficult to recognize, he found the strength and nourishment which alone can satisfy the human desire for life in a lasting way," Cardinal Saraiva Martins said.
END
Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250
|
|
|
|
