Title: The battle for the Catholic past in Germany, 1945-1980 /
Authors: Ruff, Mark Edward,
Year: 2017
Subjects: Pius Public opinion.; Hochhuth, Rolf.; Böckenförde, Ernst-Wolfgang.; Pius; Catholic Church Germany History Historiography.; Catholic Church Foreign relations Germany Historiography.; Catholic Church; Katholische Kirche; Stellvertreter (Hochhuth, Rolf); Reichskonkordat; National socialism and religion Historiography.; World War, 1939-1945 Religious aspects Catholic Church Historiography.; Christianity and politics Germany (West) History.; HISTORY Europe General.; Christianity and politics; Diplomatic relations Historiography; Historiography; International relations Historiography; Politics and government; Public opinion; Kirchengeschichtsschreibung; Kirchenkampf; Kontroverse; Rezeption; Germany Foreign relations Catholic Church Historiography.; Germany (West) Politics and government; Germany; Germany (West); Deutschland
Abstract: "Were Pope Pius XII and the Catholic Church in Germany unduly singled out after 1945 for their conduct during the National Socialist era? Mark Edward Ruff explores the bitter controversies that broke out in the Federal Republic of Germany from 1945 to 1980 over the Catholic Church's relationship to the Nazis. He explores why these cultural wars consumed such energy, dominated headlines, triggered lawsuits and required the intervention of foreign ministries. He argues that the controversies over the church's relationship to National Socialism were frequently surrogates for conflicts over how the church was to position itself in modern society--in politics, international relations and the media. More often than not, these exchanges centered on problems perceived as arising from the postwar political ascendancy of Roman Catholics and the integration of Catholic citizens into the societal mainstream"--Provided by publisher.
Contents: The first postwar anthologies, 1945-1949 -- The battles over the Reichskonkordat, 1945-1957 -- Generation gaps and the Böckenförde controversy -- Gordon Zahn versus the German hierarchy -- The storm over The Deputy -- Guenter Lewy and the battle for sources -- The Repgen-Scholder controversy.