Titus Brandsma: Verteidiger der katholischen Presse

Autor/innen

  • Joan Hemels

Schlagworte:

Titus Brandsma, katholische Presse, katholischer Journalismus,

Abstract

Obwohl Brandsma gern selbst in Zeitungen und Zeitschriften schrieb, ist es doch bemerkenswert, daß er, der seit 1923 Hochschullehrer an der katholischen Universität in Nijmegen war, seine Zeit und intellektuellen Fähigkeiten in den Dienst der katholischen Journalisten stellte, sei es auf persönlicher Ebene oder im Verband. Der Abstand zwischen Wissenschaft undjournalistischer Praxis warvor 50 Jahren noch viel größer als heute. Mitten in einer auch ftir Journalisten besonderen Zeit der Krise setzte er sich nicht allein ftir das geistliche Wohl der Journalisten, sondern auch ftir die Verbesserung ihrer Arbeitsbedingungen und ftir eine bessere Ausbildung ein. Außerdem beachtete er sehr die Folgen einerneuen Vermittlungstechnik, besonders des Telex, beim nationalen Pressebüro. (...) 

 

English

The beafication ofthe carmelite Titus Brandsma (1881-1942) on the 3rd ofNovember 1985 Ieads the author to at least two essential questions. First: what's the importance ofhis activities for the catholic press in the Netherlands und er the German occupation? Second: what's the meaning of his martyrdom for the freedom ofthe press in ourtime? Basing his examination on his former study, published in CS 611973, nr. 1, p. 1-25, the authorweighs the cardinal roJe ofBrandsma in coming to decisions on a clear standpoint against the press politics oftheGerman authorities and their Dutch collaborators, after the invasion of lOth May 1940. Journalistsand directors of catholic newspapers, developed- sometimes with overt or silent support of clerical advisers- divergent views and practices, with the risk ofsteadily going further in making compromises. In the opinion ofBrandsma this dangeraus attitude was necessarily a Iead to commit themselves. He persuaded the Dutch bishops, at the end ofl941, to reject absolutely new measures ofthe occupying powers who tried to use the ,press for propagating the national-socialistic ideology. Brandsma did not argue on a small Ievel of ecclesiastical law or on a constitutional basic, he gave the fundamental discussion on freedom and responsibility ofthe press a new ethical-religious dimension. In doing this he was giving a message for us in our time. Being also a prophet ofpeace he was praying and pleading before his martyrdom for reconciliation between the peoples ofGermany and the Netherlands, both liberated from Nazism. 

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Rubrik

Communicatio Socialis 1968-2013