Day 9 May 10th

During my visit to Münster, Germany, I explored the city’s rich religious and historical background. One photo I took captured an important church, reflecting the strong role religion has played in shaping the city’s identity. The architecture was detailed and impressive, showing how much importance was placed on faith and community throughout Münster’s history.

During the day, we took a guided tour where we learned about the city’s past, especially during times of religious conflict and World War II. One figure that stood out was Bishop Clemens August Graf von Galen, a Catholic priest known for publicly opposing certain Nazi actions, including the euthanasia program. While he was still a German patriot during the war, his resistance to Nazi policies made him a complex historical figure. We also learned about the variety of churches in Münster, which reflected how deeply rooted religion was in the community and how different denominations coexisted over time.

What stood out most to me was how extreme religious conflict used to be. We learned that in the past, outsiders or those with different beliefs were sometimes treated very harshly, including being displayed in cages after execution as a warning to others. This showed how strongly people defended their beliefs and how dangerous it could be to challenge the dominant religion at the time.

This experience taught me a lot about German history and how communities responded during difficult times. I found it surprising that Bishop von Galen was not executed despite speaking out, largely because he had strong local support and the Nazis feared backlash from the population. In terms of sustainability, the preservation of historic churches and buildings in Münster reflects cultural sustainability—protecting important structures so future generations can learn from and understand the past.