The Lion of Munster | The American Catholic

Hitler was not a Roman Catholic. He may have once been baptized as an infant in the Church but he certainly threw aside any pretense of Catholic faith with the publication of Mein Kampf and his promotion of the 'Final Solution'. Further, the RC Church was not overtly pro-Nazi. Some clerics compromised their convictions in the name of patriotism and good order. That should come as no surprise to anyone with even a cursory knowledge of church history. Jesus predicted as much when he spoke the parable of the sower. Some will respond at first with authentic conviction, but unwilling to practice the discipline of being a disciple they lack the roots to withstand the onslaught of evil and error. Others though will speak truth with clarity and power. The 'Lion of Munster' was one such Catholic voice. His biography and writings are as relevant today as they were in the face of fascism in full fury.

'Truth is truth' may be a truism - but it's truth all the same.

I highly recommend the thoughts of Micheal Brandon who blogs at 'Freedom through Truth' on this subject of the rights and obligations of witnessing to truth in times of peace and in persecution. His opinions on the witness of Fr. Gordon McCrae who he believes to be falsely convicted of abuse and is currently serving out a long prison sentence in the States are well worth reading. He offers Fr. McCrae as evidence that sometimes a priest must accept a certain fate to maintain his religious obligations. I have no first hand knowledge of Fr. McCrae's case but I have learned to trust the wisdom and writings Micheal offers on the subject. In light of the source document associated with this comment his views on the obligation of Christians to accept persecution to preserve the faith takes on an added lustre.

The Lion of Munster | The American Catholic