Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (4 February 1906 in Breslau – 9 April 1945 in Flossenbürg concentration camp) was an important Lutheran pastor from Germany who was killed by the Nazis during World War II. He is known partly for his belief that killing Adolf Hitler was a moral act. In his early life he believed that all Jews should turn into Christians, but supported them anyway. He disagreed with the general anti-semitism and so created a theological college. He wrote a book called The Cost of Discipleship about following Christianity.

Two days after Hitler became Chancellor, Bonhoeffer made a radio speech against him. Later, with Martin Niemöller and others, he started the anti-Nazi Confessing Church. Eventually he became part of the attempt by Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg to assassinate Hitler, but was arrested and executed, three weeks before Hitler killed himself. He was hanged days before the liberation of the POW camp where he was imprisoned.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Media

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  Dietrich Bonhoeffer on a retreat weekend with confirmands of Zion's Church congregation (1932)

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  Memorial of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in front of St. Peter's Church, Hamburg

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  Berlin, Bonhoeffer-Haus, Studienzimmer Dietrich Bonhoeffers

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  Flossenbürg concentration camp, Arrestblock-Hof: Memorial to members of German resistance executed on 9 April 1945

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  Gallery of 20th Century Martyrs at Westminster Abbey. From left, Mother Elizabeth of Russia, Martin Luther King Jr., Óscar Romero and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

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  Sculpture by Edith Breckwoldt. The ordeal. No man in the whole world can change the truth. One can only look for the truth, find it and serve it. The truth is in all places. Citation by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.