Blessed Georg Häfner

Biography

Blessed Georg Háfner, also known as Georg Haefner, was a Catholic priest in the diocese of Würzburg, Germany. He was born on 19 October 1900 in Würzburg, where he grew up and received his early education.

Georg Háfner felt a calling to serve God from an early age, and he entered the seminary to pursue his vocation. After completing his studies, he was ordained as a priest and dedicated his life to the service of God and his community.

During the tumultuous period of Nazi rule in Germany, Blessed Georg Háfner fearlessly preached against the ideologies and actions propagated by the regime. He spoke out against the persecution of the Jewish population and voiced his opposition to the infringement of religious freedoms. Háfner's unwavering commitment to his faith made him a target for the Nazi authorities.

In 1942, Blessed Georg Háfner was arrested by the Nazis for his outspoken resistance to their oppressive regime. He was sent to the Dachau concentration camp in Oberbayern, Germany, where he endured unimaginable suffering and persecution. Despite the harsh conditions, Georg Háfner remained steadfast in his faith and continued to inspire hope and strength in his fellow prisoners, providing them with pastoral care and spiritual guidance.

Tragically, on 20 August 1942, Blessed Georg Háfner met his martyrdom in the Dachau concentration camp. He was executed for refusing to renounce his Catholic faith and for his unwavering commitment to defending the rights and dignity of all people, regardless of their religious or ethnic background. Georg Háfner's courageous and sacrificial life stands as a shining example of unwavering faith and resistance against the forces of oppression.

Blessed Georg Háfner's remarkable witness to his faith and his ultimate sacrifice did not go unnoticed. On 3 July 2009, Pope Benedict XVI decreed his martyrdom, recognizing him as a true servant of God who had died for his beliefs. Then, on 15 May 2011, Pope Benedict XVI beatified him, officially declaring him Blessed Georg Háfner.

Today, Blessed Georg Háfner is celebrated and venerated as a martyr and a champion of religious freedom and human rights. His feast day is commemorated annually on 20 August, the day of his martyrdom. His life serves as an inspiration for all who strive to live their faith courageously and stand up against injustice.