Sermon of Clemens August Graf von Galen, Bishop of Munster, from Dokumente zur Euthanasie, ed. Ernst Klee, Fisher Tagebuch Verlag, 1985. Hugh Gallagher Papers, MSS-185.

Known as the “Lion of Munster,” Bishop von Galen was fearless in his criticism of the Nazi euthanasia programs. Although the authorities were well aware of his criticism, von Galen was never punished due to his great popularity and renown throughout Germany; it is said that even the Gestapo hesitated to arrest him. This is the text of a sermon von Galen delivered to his congregation in 1941 after writing a letter to the district attorney of Munster informing the official of the euthanasia program.