Sunday, 9 October saw one of the most relevant beatifications of all times, namely that of the great prelate of Münster, Cardinal Clemens August Graf von Galen. Being a great witness of the faith, Blessed Cardinal von Galen was a shining light in times dominated by darkness and sin. This man of God had the courage to make a frontal attack against the powers of evil that ruled his people at the time. Running counter to Hitler’s mentality, Cardinal Von Galen’s life was a “life worthy of life”.

I am stunned by the persuasive sermon delivered by Von Galen on 3 August 1941 in Münster Cathedral, in which he openly condemned the Nazi euthanasia programme. And on what grounds is euthanasia to be rejected? Precisely because “we are dealing with human beings, our fellow human beings, our brothers and sisters. With poor people, sick people, if you like unproductive people. Have you, have I the right to live only so long as we are productive, so long as we are recognised by others as productive?”

Cardinal Clemens August Graf von Galen remains a prophet of life and hope. In a time when, in parts of the world, euthanasia is encouraged or even practiced, our prayers go to the Father so that by the intercession of Blessed von Galen, the perverse killing of innocent unproductive people is aborted once and for all from any legislation and medical practice throughout the globe.

Father, by the powerful intercession of Blessed Clemens von Galen, make us true and consistent witnesses, both in our private lives and especially in the public arena, of life, justice and truth. Amen.

Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap

San Gwann