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The Arrest and Freeing of the Protestant Bishops of Württeberg and Bavaria, September–October 1934

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 December 2008

Ernst C. Helmreich
Ernst C. Helmreich
Affiliation:
Bowdoin college
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Extract

Ludwig Müller, former naval chaplain and confidant of Hitler, had managed in September 1933 to get himself elected bishop of the newly organized German Evangelical Church, which was intended to bring all the Evangelical churches under one head. His election had caused great controversy, and the conflict (Kirchenkampf) which soon developed led to the establishment of the Confessing Church (Bekennende Kirche) in opposition to the church government headed by Bishop Müller. This disorder in the church delayed Müller's formal installation, but it finally took place with great pomp on September 23, 1934, in the Berlin Cathedral, despite the deliberate absence of many churchmen as well as important political officials. Müller could not have been a particularly happy man on that day, although he had long sought this formal ecclesiastical blessing. He was definitely in hot water, and many sought his removal from office.

Type
Articles
Information
Central European History , Volume 2 , Issue 2 , June 1969 , pp. 159 - 169
Copyright
Copyright © Conference Group for Central European History of the American Historical Association 1969

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References

1. Kirchliches Jahrbuch für die Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland, 1933–1944 (Gütersloh, 1948), pp. 72f. (hereafter cited as K.J.). BishopsMeiser, (Bavaria), Wurm (Württemberg), and Marahrens (Hanover) wrote Hitler a letter urging him not to permit the installation of Müller. A copy of this letter was sent to President Koch (Westphalia) and is to be found in Archiv der Evangelischen Kirche in Westfalen, Bestand: Bielefelder Archiv des Kirchenkampfes (Wilhelm Niemöller), Collection Präsidium der Bekenntnissynode der D. E. K., III, I, Reichsregierung (hereafter cited as Biel Arch., Col., with name of various collections and dossier citations). There are many newspaper photographs and clippings on the installation of Müller in Biel. Arch., Col. W. Niemöller, N–8, Ludwig Müller.Google Scholar

2. Amtsblatt für die Evangelische–Lutherische Kirche in Bayern rechts des Rheins, 1934, p. 127; Amtsblatt der evangelischen Landeskirche in Württemberg, 1934, p. 321; Stoll, Christian, Dokumente zum Kirchenstreit (Munich, 1933–1935), Part v, pp. 13–14.Google Scholar

3. Amt. Bl. der E. K. Württ., 1934, p. 333.

4. See also issue of September 17; clippings in Nürnberg Landeskirchenarchiv, Bestand 221.

5. “Die öffentliche Meinung des Auslandes ist in der letzten Zeit durch die Vorgänge in der evangelischen Kirche in Württemberg und Bayern in erhöhte Aufregung versetzt worden. Die ausländische Presse bringt fortlaufend Nachrichten über sich häufende Eingriffe staatlicher Behörden sowie der nationalsozialistischen Parteiorganisation und der SA, bei der Entfernung evangelischer Geistlichen aus ihren Ämtern bezw. bei der Behinderung in der Ausübung ihrer Amtspflichten.” “Aufzeichnung” by Roediger in the Foreign Office, Oct. 15, 1934, Auswärtiges Amt, Evangelische Angelegenheiten, German Foreign Ministry Archives, National Archives Microcopy T-120, Roll 4418, Serial L432, Frame L 124001 (hereafter cited as Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432 /L124001; all such citations are from Microcopy T–120). For embassy reports, often including newspaper clippings, see in ibid.: London, Aug. 31, 1934, L123936, Sept. 19, L123939, Sept. 22, L123949f., Sept. 24, L123984–88, Oct. 12, L123994–96; Stockholm, Aug. 23, L123929–33; The Hague, Aug. 17, L123925f.; Rome, Sept. 28, L123966, Oct. 27, L124065f.; Vienna, Sept. 24, L123989f.; Copenhagen, Sept. 27, L123991f.; Washington, Oct., L124010, Oct. 29, L124085–88; newspaper clippings from Switzerland, Ausw. Amt, Büro R. M., Kirchenangelegenheiten, D. Wurm, Landesbischof, 4420/L435/L124973–5086.

6. Text as reported in Rome papers, Bergen to Foreign Office, Sept. 28, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L123966.

7. Bismarck to Foreign Office, Sept. 22, 1934, Ausw. Amt., 4418/L432/L123949. The passage stating the catastrophic effects is heavily underscored and the document also bears the marginalia “Der Herr Reichskanzler hat Kenntnis.”

8. “Aufzeichnung des Reichsministers des Auswärtigen Freiherrn von Neurath über seine Unterredung mit den Herrn Reichsbischof,” Sept. 20, 1934, Reichskanzlei, Akten betreffend Evangelische Kirche, 4419/L434/L124716–18; Hitler received this “Aufzeichnung” (L124719). See also Scholder, Klaus, “Die evangelische Kirche in der Sicht der Nationalsozialistischen Führung bis zum Kriegsausbruch,” Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte, XVI (1968), 25–26.Google Scholar

9. Von Neurath to Stadtdekan Dr. Lempp in Stuttgart, Sept. 21, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4420/L435/L125129. Lempp, a friend of World War I days, had sent von Neurath a letter from his brother, who was pastor in Stanislau, Galicia, expressing concern over the situation in the German church. Ibid., 4420/L435/L125130–34.

10. See “Kirchengesetz zur Änderung der Verfassung der Evangelischen Landeskirche Württembergs von 28. September 1934,” in Amt. Bl. der E. K. Württ., 1934, pp. 324–44;Google Scholar “Kirchengesetz zur Änderung der Verfassung der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche in Bayern rechts des Rheines von 25. Oktober 1934,” in K. J., pp. 75f.

11. Amt. Bl. E-L. Kirche in Bay. r. d. Rheins, 1934, pp. 177, 189; mimeographed report “Der Eingriff Dr. Jägers in die bayerische Landeskirche am 11 Oktober 1934. Wie es wirklich war. Rundbrief von den Vorgängen in der bayerischen Landeskirche 11 bis 17 Oktober 1934,” Nürnberg Landeskirchenarchiv, Bestand 221. In this same folder in the archive there is much on the reaction among the people to Meiser's arrest. For a dramatic description of the church service on the evening of Oct. 11 see Schmid, Heinrich, Apokalyptisches Wetterleuchten. Ein Beitrag der Evangelischen Kirche zum Kampf im “Dritten Reich” (Munich, 1947), pp. 93f. The most important documents on the crisis are collected in Stoll, Dokumente, Part v, pp. 4–42.Google Scholar For a summary of events in Württemberg and Bavaria see Niemöller, Wilhelm, Kampf und Zeugnis der Bekennenden Kirche (Bielefeld, 1948), pp. 166–78.Google Scholar

12. K. J., pp. 74–77; Niemöller, Wilhelm, Die zweite Bekenntnissynode der Deutschen Evangelischen Kirche zu Dahlem (Göttingen, 1958), pp. 37f.Google Scholar This protest of Oct. 20 reached the Foreign Office on Oct. 22, and Roediger in transmitting it to von Neurath commented that the members of the Confessing Church would not be satisfied with the retirement of Jäger; they wanted the retirement of Müller as well and a clear cut change in procedure. (“Aufzeichnung,” Roediger to von Neurath, Oct. 22, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L124026–28).

13. This statement, sent to the Minister President and to the Minister of Culture in Württemberg as well as to Bishop Wurm, was forwarded to von Neurath by a friend, Carl Frhr. von Cotta (Ausw. Amt., 4420/L435/L124957–58).

14. “Mittelfränkische Bauernabordnung bei den Staatsbehörden in München,” carbon copy of report in Nürnberg Landeskirchenarchiv, Bestand 221. On Oct. 22, 850 Protestant clergy met in Nuremberg, pledged their loyalty to Bishop Meiser, and demanded the recall of the state-appointed commissioners (Notiz by Klinger, Vereinsführer des bayer. Pfarrervereins, Ausw. Amt, 4420/L436/L125423). See also the account of many other protests in the section on “Die Eingliederung der bayerischen Landeskirche,” in Gauger, Joachim, Chronik der Kirchenwirren (3 vols., 1934–1936), II, 321–65;Google Scholar Schmid, Apokalyptisches Wetterleuchten, pp. 81–110.

15. Witetschek, Helmut, ed., Die kirchliche Lage in Bayern nach den Regierungspräsidentenberichten 1933–43, I, Regierungsbezirk Oberbayern (Mainz, 1966), 31; II,Google ScholarRegierungsbezirk Ober-und Mittelfranken (Mainz, 1967), 35–43.Google Scholar

16. von Gemmingen, Freifrau Johanna to von Neurath, Sept. 19, 1934, Ausw. Amt. 4420/L435/L125138. See also many other protest letters in this folio of documents, particularly frames L125087–104; L125146–64.Google Scholar

17. Gauger, , Kirchenwirren, II, 361. The unexpected release from arrest brought jubilation to the household of Bishop Wurm. Two friends were summoned and after singing the choral “Praise to the Lord,” Bishop Wurm read the 118 Psalm. Then they had a little celebration.Google Scholar See Wurm, Theophil, ed., Tagebuchaufzeichnungen aus der Zeit des Kirchenkampfes. Zur Erinnerung an Frau Marie Wurm (Stuttgart, 1952), p. 36.Google Scholar

18. “Aufzeichnung” of interview with Kinder sent to von Neurath, Oct. 19, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L124034–36; “Aufzeichung” of interview by Roediger with Kinder, Oct. 23, 4418/L432/L124029–30; letter of Kinder to von Neurath, Oct. 23, 4418/L432/L124031–33; report on interview with Kinder by an official of the Reich Chancellery on Oct. 26, Reichkanzlei, 4419/L434/L124758–60. Hitler was informed of this interview. When Kinder saw the announcement in the papers that Jäger had resigned as Rechtswalter he telephoned the Reich Chancellery and told them this was not enough; he would have to be relieved of all church offices (Reichskanzlei, 4419/L434/L124761). Hitler was also informed of this telephone conversation. Jäger was later relieved of all his church appointments (Niemöller, Kampf und Zeugnis, pp. 180f).

19. “Streng Vertraulich Bericht über zwei Tage in München”, unsigned, Nürnberg Landeskirchen Archiv, Bestand 221. This interview took place on Oct. 20, 1934 (Bethge, Eberhard, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Theologe. Christ. Zeitgenosse [Munich, 1967], p. 455).Google Scholar

20. Wurm, Theophil, Erinnerungen aus Meinem Leben (Stuttgart, 1953), p. 119. “Seit den Ereignissen im Spätherbst 1934, die mit durch das Eingreifen des Herrn Reichsaussenministers einen günstigen Ausgang gefunden haben, haben wir uns verhältnismässiger Ruhe zu erfreuen gehabt” (Wurm to von Neurath, May 23, 1936, Ausw. Amt, 4420/L435/L124929). A memorandum was drawn up in the Foreign Office on Oct. 15, 1934, stressing that all reports from abroad indicated increasing alarm over the use of force in the German church (Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L124001–4002). The documents show that the Foreign Office indeed did receive many reports indicating concern over the church situation in foreign countries, including the United States (for the latter see Ambassador Luther to Foreign Office, Oct. 16, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L124010–12).Google Scholar

21. Bismarck to Foreign Office, Oct. 12, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L123998–24000. Bishop Bell had had, after consultation with the Archbishop of Canterbury, a somewhat similar interview with Ambassador Hoesch on Apr. 31, 1934, during which he objected to the dictatorial actions of Müller, Reich Bishop (Hoesch to Foreign Office, May 1, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L123764).Google ScholarJasper, Ronald C. D., in his excellent biography, George Bell, Bishop of Chichester (London, 1967), does not mention the Apr. 31 interview and makes only scant reference to the October interview and fails to evaluate its importance (p. 201). He does present a good account of Bell's long-time concern over the strife in the German churches.Google Scholar

22. Von Neurath to Lammers, Oct. 13, 1934, Reichskanzlci, 4419/L434/L124743–46.

23. Hoesch to Foreign Office, Oct. 17, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L124014–17; also 4420/L436/L125403–406.

24. “Aufzeichnung,” Roediger to von Neurath, Oct. 16 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L124001–4002; Neurath to Lammers, Oct. 17, 1934, Reichskanzlei, 4419/L434/L124747–51.

25. Von Neurath to Lammers, Reichskanzlei, 4419/L434/L124747; text of Hoesch's report with underscoring, ibid. L124748–51. Hitler was informed.

26. Lutz, von Schwerin-Krosigk, Graf, Es geschah in Deutschland. Menschenbilder unseres Jahrhunderts (Tübingen, 1951), pp. 313–15.Google Scholar

27. “Notiz” by Roediger, Oct. 22, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L124018.

28. Hoesch to Foreign Office, Oct. 22, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L124024–25; also 4420/L436/L125415–16; for marginalia to report, Reichskanzlei, 4419/L434/L124756–57.

29. “Aufzeichnung” of an interview by Roediger with Dr. Kinder, Oct. 23, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L124029.

30. “Aufzeichnung” of an interview by Roediger with Bishop Marahrens, Oct. 23, 1934, Ausw. Amt. 4418/L432/L124040–41.

31. As early as Oct. 19 Bishop Marahrens had recommended to von Neurath that the Staatsakt be postponed. (Marahrens to von Neurath, Oct. 19, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L124037–39; “Aufzeichnung” of interview with Marahrens by Roediger, Oct. 23, 1934, 4418/L432/L124040–41; see also L124043, L124047–48). On drafts of the oath to be taken by Müller see Reichskanzlei, 4419/L434 /L124752–54.

32. Personal letter, Cosmo Canthar to Hoesch, Oct. 27, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L124054.

33. Personal letter, Cosmo Canthar to Hoesch, Nov. 7, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4418/L432/L124103. The phrases as indicated were underlined by some reader in the Foreign Office.

34. Superintendent Nold of the Protestant Church in the Saar had sent Hitler a long Denkschrift, Sept. 17, 1934, on the situation in the Confessing Church which jeopardized Germany's position in the Saar and lessened the joy over the prospective return to the Fatherland (Ausw. Amt, Die kirchlichen Fragen des Saargebiets, 3296/7960H/E574794–803). For a similar complaint on the Catholic side by Archbishop Bornewasser of Trier see his letter to Hitler of Aug. 27, 1934, 3296/7960H/E574779–86.

35. Letter, Wurm to von Neurath, Oct. 27, 1934, Ausw. Amt. 4420/L435/L124954. Von Neurath had requested Wurm to come and see him when he reached Berlin (telegram, von Neurath to Wurm, Oct. 26, 1934, Ausw. Amt, 4420/L435/L124955–56).

36. “Vermerk,” Oct. 29, 1934, Reichskanzlei, 4419/L434/L124762.

37. Wurm, Erinnerungen, p. 120; Klügel, Eberhard, Die lutherische Landeskirche Hannovers und ihr Bischof 1933–1945 (Berlin, 1964), p. 144.Google Scholar

38. Wurm, Erinnerungen, p. 121. Frau Wurm noted in her diary on Nov. 1: “Reibi [Müller] ist noch am Leben, wird aber wohl doch bald erledigt sein. Frick enttäuchst immer wieder, er ist schuld, dass er nicht gleich wegmusste.” (Wurm, , ed., Tagebuchaufzeichnungen, pp. 37f.)Google Scholar

39. Müller's wife for years drew a pension from the city of Berlin, for the authorities there did not connect her husband as a former naval chaplain with his position as Reich Bishop. When she moved to Cuxhaven she again made a claim for a pension and this time the identity was revealed. This led to an investigation and the establishment of his suicide, as related above (letter of Werner Koch to Wilhelm Niemöller, Mar. 8, 1961, Biel. Arch., Col. W. Niemöller, N–8, Ludwig Muller).

40. At the end of 1948 Jäger was sentenced to death by a Polish court as a war criminal (“Mitteilung aus dem Amtsblatt der Bekennenden Kirche in Nassau-Hessen vom 1/4/1949,” Biel. Arch., Col. W. Niemöller, N–5, Jäger).