Distance to the Nazi State

Remarkably, the Württemberg regional church did not issue any statement on the failed attempt to assassinate Hitler; the church’s communiqués contain neither a disassociation from the plotters nor thanks for the preservation of the Führer. On the contrary, a number of Wurm’s statements document his increasing distance to the Nazi state.

Rather than containing exhortations to hold out, a pastoral letter of August 1, 1944 on the occasion of the heavy air raids on Stuttgart openly lamented the loss of human life and the untold destruction. The events were interpreted as God’s judgment over a humanity befallen by delusions of grandeur. Wurm admonished fellow clergy to reflect on and change their ways. It was essential to draw attention to sin and guilt with the prophet’s courage to bear witness.