The Nature and Structure of the Confessing Church in Germany Under Hitler

Abstract

Xhe first months of the Hitler regime in 1933 resulted in a Concordat with the Vatican and the enactment of a church constitution for a German Evangelical Church. Both the Catholic and Protestant Churches were thus given a new basis for their relations with the state. Within the Protestant Church a group known as the German Christians made rapid headway. They were enthusiastic supporters of the new Nazi order with its theories and ideas, notably the racial concept. But differences over the election of a Reich Bishop soon brought into the open a conflict between the German Christians and other church groups and leaders. By the time the new national synod met on 27 September 1933 to formalize the election of Hitler's confidant, Bishop Muller, an opposition group had appeared. These opposition leaders formed a Pastors' Emergency League whose purpose it was to aid fellow pastors in distress, from dues assessed on its members.1 Martin Niemoller became the leading