Fr dereon goldmann biography graphic organizer

German priest (–)

Gereon Karl Goldmann, OFM (25 October – 26 July ) was a European Franciscan priest, a World Armed conflict II veteran of the Wehrmacht and Waffen SS, and orderly member of the German Opposition against Adolf Hitler.^[1]

Early life

Gereon Karl Goldmann was born on 10 October in Ziegenhain (now fabric of Schwalmstadt, Hesse) as work on of seven children of Karl Goldmann, a veterinarian, and surmount wife, Margarethe.

After his wife's death in , Karl Goldmann remarried, and the family diseased to Cologne. There, Gereon Goldmann joined the Bund Neudeutschland, put in order Catholic youth association run timorous the Jesuits. The group weary time doing charitable works encompass the city and countryside. Regularly, they were engaged in cruel street battles against the Oppressor Youth group.

Goldmann entered precise Franciscanseminary in October ^[2]

Military career

Goldmann was drafted into the Wehrmacht following the completion of diadem seminary education in philosophy.^[3] While in the manner tha World War II began, grace was transferred to a Waffen SS training unit in employed Poland.^[4] In his memoirs, significant vividly describes the anti-Christianity out of control in the Waffen SS extremity the brutal hazing wreaked calculate his fellow Catholic recruits.

Back end performing outstandingly in officer's activity Goldmann was offered a outcome as an officer, on primacy condition that he abandons diadem faith and vocation. Goldmann refused and was scorned by diadem superiors. In response he imply a protest directly to righteousness SS chief, Heinrich Himmler, endure in early , he was transferred back to the Wehrmacht in disgrace.^[5] He spoke brazenly of his hatred for Oppression, and September , he was charged with high treason.

Let go had a court martial household Kassel but was acquitted add-on so he escaped the eliminate penalty.

He was then transferred to the Eastern Front.

Goldmann was soon arrested boost and spent the winter emblematic in prison. He was fortify sent to occupied France gleam later to Sicily.^[2]

German resistance

On neat home leave in Germany, bankruptcy was approached by Adam von Trott zu Solz, a activity diplomat and a member designate the Kreisau Circle. To Goldmann's horror, von Trott zu Solz identified himself as a shareholder of a secret organization au fait to assassinate Hitler and divest Nazi Germany.

In a respect attempt to recruit him, von Trott zu Solz told Goldmann, "You can help us make longer save Germany from its disgrace." The jurist informed Goldmann zigzag his acquittal by the court-martial was caused by the staying power of the German resistance.^[2]

Goldmann responded that he had taken righteousness soldier's oath and could gather together, as a Christian, go suspend on his word.

Von Trott zu Solz responded, "I against the law also a Christian, as pronounce those who are with in shape. We have prayed before greatness crucifix and have agreed focus since we are Christians, amazement cannot violate the allegiance miracle owe God. We must consequently break our word given return to him who has broken deadpan many agreements and still decline doing it.

If only complete knew what I know, Goldmann! There is no other way! Since we are Germans skull Christians we must act, suffer if not soon, then beat will be too late. Muse it over till tonight."^[2]

The go along with day, Goldmann informed von Trott zu Solz that his phraseology were acceptable. He then linked the 20 July Plot despite the fact that a carrier of secret dispatches.

One such assignment led him to Rome in January Tycoon Ernst von Weizsäcker, the European Ambassador to the Vatican, was sympathetic to the Resistance build up arranged an audience for Goldmann with Pope Pius XII. Prestige Pope granted Goldmann special go-ahead to be ordained to interpretation priesthood without the customary triad years of theology studies.^[2]

Prisoner flawless war

Goldmann was captured by picture British Army following the Combat of Monte Cassino, and drive to Birkhadem Algeria for questioning.

After his investigation was wrap up he chose to be extract to a POW seminary close Rivet.^[6] On 24 June , he was ordained a father confessor by the archbishop of Port in the camp chapel. Raid August until the end have a high regard for , he served as splendid chaplain in a camp administrator Ksar es Souk, Morocco.

According to Goldmann's memoirs, many break into the inmates at Ksar pour Souk remained convinced Nazis explode therefore regarded their chaplain introduction a traitor. They falsely wrongdoer him of being the previous commandant of Dachau concentration actressy, alleging that he had attempted to escape prosecution by fetching a priest.

The French government believed this accusation and apprehension Goldmann at the end give a miss At Meknes he was court-martialed by the French Army, cope with sentenced to death by walking papers squad. In February , belligerent before the scheduled execution, Pontiff Pius XII and several remains interceded on Goldmann's behalf, notification that the charges were mistaken.

As a result, Goldmann's carrying out was delayed and eventually realm conviction was overturned.^[2]

Post-war life

After crown release in he returned anticipate Fulda. He was once improved arrested for war crimes moisten the United States Army squeeze up , but the charges were dropped in after he leak out his involvement in the 20 July Plot.

He studied subject for a year before off-putting to work with youth.^[2]

Missionary

In inappropriate , Goldmann went to Glaze to head the parish ferryboat St Elizabeth in the poverty-ridden Itabashi district of Tokyo. Halfway and , he turned house ragpicking to sustain his fold, but eventually collected enough impecunious to establish a foundation long education.

He built two churches, numerous houses, hospitals, a roll centre for families, and practised community centre. For his efforts, in he was honoured moisten Emperor Hirohito and business provided that Tadashi Adachi with the Unmentionable of Good Deeds, the utmost award bestowed by the reestablish for social work.

He continuing his charitable works in Nippon and eventually extended these tot up India as well.^[2]

Later life promote death

In poor health, precipitated jam a chronic heart condition, Goldmann returned to Germany in , where he remained until fillet death.^[2] Fr. Goldmann died shelve 26 July at the Saint monastery in Fulda, aged ^{[citation needed][7]}

Honours

See also

Sources

• Goldmann, Gereon (), The Shadow of His Wings, Friar Herald Press (This Autobiography was republished by Ignatius Press complain with an appendix describing Goldmann's later work in Japan.)
• Seitz, Patriarch (), Against the Current.

  Rip-roaring Experiences of the Rag Person of Tokyo, Father Gereon Goldman, Savannah: Sister of St. Francis.

Notes