The demise of Franziska Jägerstätter, widow of Franz Jägerstätter and non-violent activist

The Human Rights Centre of the University of Padua and the UNESCO Chair “Human Rights, Democracy and Peace” deeply participate to the condolences for the demise of Franziska Jägerstätter.

The centenarian Franziska Jägerstätter was the wife of Franz Jägerstätter, non-violent anti-nazi martyr, who, inspired by his deep religious beliefs, openly declared that he could not serve the military service because supporting the National-Socialist State would be contrary to his conscience. Even though he was repeatedly intimated to depose his conscientious objection, also by some representatives of the clergy, Franz always stated that he preferred a death for desertion to be involved in Hitler’s war of extermination. He was killed on 9 August 1943. Thanks to his deep religious beliefs, the Catholic Church beatified him in 2007.

Franziska always supported her husband in his decision, even if she was aware of the consequences. After his death she kept being a non-violent activist and helping people in need. For these reasons, she was honoured with the gold medal of merit of the Presidency of Republic of Austria in 2007 and with the papal title “Pro Ecclesia et Pontefice” in 2010.