Clemens August Graf von Galen quotes

Clemens August Graf von Galen was a German Catholic bishop and Cardinal, renowned for his outspoken opposition to the Nazi regime. Known as the "Lion of Münster," his sermons rallied many against injustice and the persecution of the vulnerable. He became an enduring symbol of moral courage and resistance during a dark era in history. Here are 6 of his quotes:

And now go and serve your fatherland.

Clemens August Graf von Galen

Have you, have I the right to live only so long as we are productive, so long as we are recognized by others as productive?

Clemens August Graf von Galen

These unfortunate patients must die but rather because, in the opinion of some department, on the testimony of some commission, they have become 'worthless life' because according to this testimony they are 'unproductive national comrades.'

Clemens August Graf von Galen

What does one do with such an old machine? It is thrown on the scrap heap. What does one do with a lame horse, with such an unproductive cow? No, I do not want to continue the comparison to the end--however fearful the justification for it and the symbolic force of it are. We are not dealing with machines, horses and cows whose only function is to serve mankind, to produce goods for man. One may smash them, one may slaughter them as soon as they no longer fulfil this function. No, we are dealing with human beings, our fellow human beings, our brothers and sisters. With poor people, sick people, if you like unproductive people. But have they for that reason forfeited the right to life?

Clemens August Graf von Galen

Who will be able to trust his doctor any more? He may report his patient as 'unproductive' and receive instructions to kill him. It is impossible to imagine the degree of moral depravity, of general mistrust that would then spread even through families if this dreadful doctrine is tolerated, accepted and followed.

Clemens August Graf von Galen