I chose this article to remind
people that a criminal can repent at the last moment before his execution, if
you read this case about Rudolf Hoess, a Nazi War Criminal who was executed by
hanging on this date, 16 April 1947.
 |
|
Rudolf Höss at the
Supreme National Tribunal of Poland
|
God’s
Mercy Knows No Bounds: the Case of Rudolf Hoess
I ran across a
lecture given at Seton Hall University on March 25, 1998. I believe the
lecturer was John Jay Hughes. The title was A Mass Murderer Repents: The case of Rudolf Hoess, Commandant
of Auschwitz.
In this lecture is a
detailed account of how Rudolf Hoess was raised in a very strict Catholic home,
how he wanted to become a priest when he was young but apparently was betrayed
by a priest which led to his disillusionment and ultimately his formal
withdrawal from the Church, and how he then got caught up in Nazism. He built
Auschwitz concentration camp and was responsible for the murders of thousands
of people.
After the fall of the
Third Reich, he tried to hide and was successful for a year or so until being
located and arrested. His experience in a Polish prison proved to be a powerful
influence on him. The prison was in Wadowice near the birthplace of Pope
John Paul II. During his trial, he confessed openly to all his crimes. He was
sentenced to death and he refused an appeal. As he awaited the day of
execution, he asked to see a priest. A Jesuit priest, a Fr. Lohn who
spoke German, went to him. Hoess made a formal profession of Catholic
faith, made his confession, received absolution and the next day
received Holy Communion. It is said that after having done so, he fell to
his knees sobbing.
God’s love and mercy
knows no bounds. His justice is beyond our comprehension.
Here was a man
who I suspect was seriously disordered in terms of his personality, convictions
and no doubt responsible for some of the most horrific
crimes possible. Yet, he was forgiven.
To read the entire lecture,
detailing this an many other aspects of Hoess’ case, click here: A
Mass Murderer Repents |
|
Höss
immediately before being hanged
|
No comments:
Post a Comment