Thanks are in order!
Brief recap to the Tagung in Munich, October 10-12, 2023, with profound thanks to friends new and old.
First of all, thank you to my readers who haven’t grumbled as well-laid plans for live-Tweeting and using Substack Notes as alternative for full-length posts fell through. I had my phone out to live-Tweet on the first day of the conference. It felt funny doing that – in Germany, that does not appear to be a “thing” yet. I put my phone away and took copious notes by hand, the old-fashioned way.
As an aside, unrelated to White Rose: It’s unbelievably nice to be at lunch or dinner with someone, with no phones in sight. Improves camaraderie about a million-fold.
Pre-conference thank you goes out to Birgit Groβ of the information center in Bad Tölz, and to Christoph Schnitzer of the Tölzer Kurier. Birgit patiently listened to my question about Borchers and Hartert homes in Tölz. She pulled a book from their shelves – and there was the answer I’ve looked for since 1995! In a book by Christoph Schnitzer. Which I promptly bought, along with a second Schnitzer book for good measure.
She then called Christoph and put us in contact with one another. Instincts tell me he will be a valuable partner, as his thought processes are sound. More in a subsequent post.
Although the conference was only two days long, I felt like I made twenty years’ worth of connections. Conversations may have begun haltingly on the first day. I had an intuitive sense that all those Germans did not know what to make of a non-Catholic American speaking at a conference at the Katholische Akademie.
But they warmed up. Conversations became meaningful. I look forward to long-term collaborative work with many of these people. My thanks to the following persons for dialogs that flowed two ways, that sparked new ideas and raised so many more questions.
I have never been very good at hierarchies. Therefore to avoid missteps, the thank you notes are in alphabetical order.
Sister M. Elinor, Referentin KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau: Quiet lady with a twinkle in your eyes, Jennifer and I appreciated your silent concern. Dachau overwhelms the soul. It must take a lot out of you to “minister” to people who visit the memorial. Gottes Segen.
Martin Echtler, Therese-von-Bayern Schule, Munich: Our work has long been about students, for students, with the wish for more of it to be by students. Your enthusiasm for innovative teaching, for embracing new tools to solve old problems – yes! Give me time to catch my breath, then let’s talk. What a shot in the arm you are!
Michael Kaufmann, Weisse-Rose-Institut, Munich: This part of the thank-you should be in giant letters, with fireworks and enormous bouquets, white roses, of course. It is amazing that you were able to bring together this group of speakers, diverse, focused, knowledgeable. I genuinely appreciate your taking a chance on this “non-Catholic American.” You did good. I am honored to be your friend and long-time “coworker” in this crazy thing we call White Rose.
Peter Kern, Alfred-Delp-Gesellschaft, Limburgerhof: Yes! More later, but let’s keep talking. Do you wonder about what-ifs? What if Johannes Maassen had not been sick? What if Willi Graf had joined Pater Delp? Thank you for your encouragement, both at and after the conference.
Michael Kiβener, Uni Mainz: It’s funny, when working on book reviews and historiography, you were one person I wanted to meet. I perceived you as someone who doesn’t tolerate national mythologies. Meeting you confirmed that perception. This was only the beginning. More to come.
Elisabeth Lukas-Götz, Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv, Munich: You may be quiet, but the knowledge you possess is unmatched. We’ve long wanted to have accessible digital archives for scholars in the USA. Can hardly wait to talk more with you and brainstorm ways to make this happen, to improve collaborative work and scholarship. That you think and act ethically, and want to follow IP laws? All the better. Oh, and I will be happy to buy you coffee next time!
Thomas Marschler, Uni Augsburg: When I saw the list of speakers, I didn’t think we’d have anything in common. Dogmatics? But you know what? When people are interested in digging for truth, “dogmatics” becomes a minor distinction. Let’s stay in touch!
Johannes Modesto, Postulator für diözesane Seligsprechungsverfahren in der Erzdiözese München und Freising: If someone had told me in January that I would have a fun, illuminating, enjoyable conversation with you in October, I’d have said, Mmm-kay, yeah. Talk about having nothing in common! And yet! Please always keep your values – of ethical scholarship and sound foundation – front and center. Religion and scholarship may have two completely different end goals, but where they intersect must remain whole. I think you understand that, and for that, I thank you. If you promise not to lose your sense of humor, I promise not to step out in front of cars.
Frederik Simon, Pfarrer, Trier: My new friend! Your speech made it so much easier for me to give mine, because the truths you put out there – hard truths – were foundational to my own words. I could cut a full page or so from my speech, because you covered those topics. I fully expect to hear good things about you in the years to come.
Weisse-Rose-Institut people: (Michael, I am soooo sorry that I did not write down names. I will update this part.) The daughters of Regine Degkwitz nee Renner, Wolf Jaeger’s son, and Bernd. I loved having kind, supportive faces in the audience. And the “after-party” was delightful! Perfect end to the conference.
Helmut Zenz, Romano Guardini scholar: Your area of expertise is far outside my general realm of interests. But I liked your perspective (and warped sense of humor, ha!). To understand Willi Graf, one must first understand Guardini, who influenced him like no other. You are doing good work.
I did not meet Erzbischof Reinhard Kardinal Marx in person, but I appreciated his words during the memorial service that concluded the conference. Cardinal Marx at once kept the focus on Willi Graf’s life and death, while at the same time reminding us of our responsibilities regarding peace and justice. This message transcends religion. It is at the heart of true morality and honor.
Finally, my deepest, most heartfelt thank you goes out to those who made this happen, those who read multiple drafts of the speech; talked me through concepts; restructured thoughts; donated money to enable hotels, rent car, and meals; checked in on me before, during, and after – friends who were simply there, and who provided that unmatched “wall of love” that Ernst Wiechert wrote about. Again alphabetically, with strong hopes that I don’t leave anyone out.
Clare Colquitt, Terese De Jager, Kathleen Eaves, Manfred Forster, Roswitha Herrmann, Jon Lee Keenan, Harold Marcuse, Scott Morris, Gwen and John Miertschin, Jennifer Rosenfeld. Every single one of you made a difference. And made the whole thing possible.
Thank you.
© 2023 Denise Heap. Please contact us for permission to quote.
Excellent recap of the conference. So many positive takeaways!