Why do Catholics always seem to distance themselves from Hitler who was born, raised, and died a Catholic?

Question

Hitler was never excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church. Apparently he did nothing that it thought deserved excommunication. The same must be said of the Lutheran Church and the Nazis who remained Lutherans in good standing. Had their deeds been totally unacceptable, they would have been excommunicated.

Answer 1

As a catholic myself I am somewhat ashamed of what the catholic church has hidden. With any religion it is hard to look straight on to anything that can hurt the religion. Money wise or faith wise. I think that is the going to be the downfall of religion. And I am waiting for that day, look all Jesus wanted was for us to HAVE faith, nowhere did it say where and what religion is the RIGHT one. I HAVE faith whether I am here at home praying or in a church. No religion is without sin.

Answer 2

Aside from the fact that Hitler was excommunicated, the Catholic Church distances herself from the whole ordeal. Catholics were one of the only groups of people that didn't want to get involved. Understandably so, its messed up, but Jewish people and Catholics aren't exactly best friends. Who killed Jesus after all? The Jews through the Roman Empire? Perhaps it was best for us not to be involved.

Answer 3

My understanding is that he was never excommunicated, perhaps because that would have made things worse for German Catholics. Asatru didn't exist at the time. Heathens did; my own opinion is that our religion never quite died out, although it usually survived in bits and pieces: land-wight worship in once place, calling on the Gods with old spells in another...Pol Pot was part of an overwhelmingly Buddhist society, but I suspect an Atheist (they like their word capitalized too, which is only fair) as are virtually all Marxists, at least in public. Hitler abused both Christian and Heathen symbolism to help attain his vile ends. He was strongly against the Heathen revival, and actually persecuted Heathens. Some branches of the KKK will actually admit Catholics these days. About 20 years back, the Grand Dragon or whatever of Connecticut (yes, they have plenty of racists in the northern USA too) was a practicing Catholic, and while very open about his membership in the KKK, to my knowledge was never excommunicated.

Answer 4

Automatic excommunication happens when Catholics commit certain offensives. This happens as soon as the offense is committed.

Adolf Hitler committed the following offenses resulting in automatic excommunication:
- Apostasy - the formal renunciation of one's religion. Hitler specifically rejected the Catholic Church, as well as Christianity in general. He described himself as "a complete pagan.”
- Heresy - a doctrine in theology, religion, philosophy, or politics at variance with those of the Catholic Church. Nazism is definitely heretical to Christianity.

There was no reason for the Catholic Church to excommunicate Hitler. He did it all by himself.

With love in Christ.

For Hitler's own words against Christianity, see: http://www.geocities.com/chiniquy/Hitler.html

For more information about excommunication, see: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05678a.htm
And: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunicate#Automatic_excommunication

Answer 5

Excommunicated Hitler in 1976, um that is decades after WWII and his death. To Excommunicate someone is to throw them out of relationship with the community...I think his death accomplished that!

Having said that...I don't think that Hitler was a devout Catholic, as his actions suggested.

Answer 6

Aside from the fact that he tried to eliminate an entire population...he's not someone the Catholic Church would want to be associated with.

Besides, just because he was born, raised and died a Catholic it doesn't mean anything. He could have just been "going through the motions" because his actions were the exact opposite of what the Church teaches.

Answer 7

The Catholic CHurch Excommnunicated Hitler in 1976 or did ya not notice this?

Answer 8

Hitler may have called himself Catholic, but his actions spoke louder than his words. Catholics (on the large scheme of things) don't particularly do what Hitler did, let alone agree with it, or support it. Catholics should distance themselves from Hitler as much as any other religious group should distance themselves from horrible, evil mass-murderers who say they're of that sect.

Answer 9

He dear not everyone who claims to be a Catholic or a Protestant or any other religion is necessarily truly following that faith. Personally I think Hitler was either insane or possessed. No way to know for sure but he was definitely not a Catholic in union with the faith. Most think he was an atheist. Religion does not guarantee one faith or sainthood. One has to work at it.

Answer 10

Hitler was Hitler. What he had to do with Catholicism no one knows. Just because one is baptized a Catholic doesn't mean a thing.