Mennonite Central Committee

Profiles of Historic Conscientious Objectors

 

Jaggerstatter's life and death was controversial to say the least. However, each of his actions was based on a strongly held belief that war was unjust, and that God calls us to "...love our enemies, bless those who curse us, pray for those who persecute us."

Franz Jaggerstatter was born on May 20, 1907 in a small Austrian village. As a teenager, he had the reputation of being "wild."He was the first one to own a motorcycle in his town. His later discipline and devotion to God prevail in his legacy over the more worldly activities of his youth.

Austria was occupied by the German Nazis in 1938. Jaggerstatter was married and had become a Christian, serving as sexton at the local Catholic church. He remembers April 10, 1938 clearly, when his people "...cast the disaster bringing Ja-vote *..." supporting the nazi party. He often compared this day to Maundy Thursday, when the people voted to crucify Jesus Christ.

Jaggerstatter refused to serve in Hitler's war machine. As a result, he was imprisoned and eventually beheaded. Although many disagreed with him, Jaggerstatter was respected by all who knew him. To their arguments that he was "self-centered," abandoning his family, he wrote, "Again and again people stress the obligations of conscience as they concern my wife and children...I cannot believe that, just because one has a wife and children, he is free to offend God by lying (not to mention all the other things he would be called upon to do)."

Jaggerstatter had a dream in 1938. "...I saw a beautiful shining railroad train that circled around a mountain. Streams of children-and adults as well rushed toward the train and could not be held back... Then I heard a voice say to me: 'This train is going to hell.'" Jaggerstatter saw the train as a symbol of Hitler's mighty party, speeding away in pursuit of power and glory, without regard for the "horrible human slaughter" it left behind. Later he wrote that he would "...like to call out to everyone who is riding on this train: ' Jump out before the train reaches its destination, even if it costs you your life!'" Although it did cost him his life, Jaggerstatter died with the joyous certainty that he would be rewarded by the one whom he so faithfully tried to serve. He wrote, "And happy are they who live and die in God's love."

*Ja—means "yes" in German

In Solitary Witness, by Gordon Zahn, Holt Rinehart and Winston, 1964.

For more information, visit the following Web sites:
www.rc.net/uk/plymouth/stmarys/peterwebb.htm