Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a modern martyr
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a 20th century martyr.
Imprisoned for his participation in the “Valkyrie” plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler and end the horrendous suffering inflicted by Nazis throughout Europe, he was executed at the Flossenbürg concentration camp eighty years ago on April 9, 1945. This was only weeks prior to the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Bonhoeffer was not a martyr because he nobly sought his own death for the sake of a cause, but because he bore witness to and acted upon what was true. A martyr is a trustworthy witness.
When confronted by his own nation’s monstrously depraved actions he didn’t look away. A martyr hears and sees the worst of human actions and boldly and defiantly gives witness to all that is in plain hearing and sight because she or he is there.
This is even when that testimony comes at great personal risk. A martyr does not look away … even when many others do.
Martyrs trouble the rest of us because we also hear and see what they bear witness to. We also see cruel human acts plainly before us in the treatment of vulnerable and voiceless people, but we look away. We evaluate the risk and question the rightness of bearing witness to what is done and conclude that the cost and the burden is too great.
We are silent. The bold witness of martyrs exposes our silences and challenges us towards courage. It is that exposure that led to Bonhoeffer’s absurd, pointless execution. The war was all but over, but he had to be silenced.
In bearing witness to the truth Dietrich Bonhoeffer wasn’t only motived by a sense of universal human rights. His motivation was firmly grounded in his Christian faith and the love for people that it motivates.
Bonhoeffer’s faith shaped his view of people as God’s image bearers. This included his captors and persecutors, whom he treated with great kindness and dignity, even as he walked to the gallows. He bore witness to what his captors did not even see and know about themselves.
St Johns Southgate, together with St Paul’s Cathedral, will commemorate the 80th anniversary of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s death and acknowledge all that he gave witness to with several free events:
February 23, 4pm
Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral
Bonhoeffer Canticles, St Paul’s Cathedral Choir, directed by Philip Nicholls.
March 1, 2pm to 5.30pm
Symposium at St Johns Southgate: Sessions on Bonhoeffer’s life, writings and theology
This event is free, but register bookings at trybooking.com
March 1, 7.30pm
Concert at St Johns: Mass and Motets
Newly composed Mass by Paul Heller with five Motets on Bonhoeffer’s writings for two a cappella choirs. Ensemble Nobiles and Ensemble Gombert directed by John O’Donnell.
This event is free, but register bookings at trybooking.com
March 2, 9am
Eucharist at St Johns with music provided by Ensemble Nobiles.
St Johns is located at 20 City Rd (stjohnssouthgate.com.au), just behind Hamer Hall and adjacent to the eastern side of the Quay West apartments.
Come, hear and see. •

Livestock trial commences through Citylink tunnels
