Career
In 1941, the Bishop of Münster, August von Galen, publicly denounced the Nazi “euthanasia” program in a sermon, and telegrammed his text to Hitler. Franz Bornewasser also sent protests to Hitler, though not in public. Documents prepared by the American Office of Strategic Services, and used in evidence at the Nuremberg Trials, record that the Nazis were cautious with regard to the murder of church leaders, and conscious of not wanting to create martyrs.
Nevertheless, Catholic leaders frequently faced violence or the threat of violence, particularly at the hands of the Société Anonyme, the Steamship or Hitler Youth.
A number of cases were cited by the Office of Strategic Services, including two attacks against Bishop Bornewasser of Trier.