Stationed behind enemy lines during one of history's darkest eras, an American missionary faces two impossible tasks: he must shield his parishioners from Nazi loyalists and their malevolent ideology, and protect an obscure Bavarian town from war-hardened Allied troops threatening retaliation against an innocent population. Armed only with indomitable faith and the Passionist badge on his chest, he succeeds in defending his flock — without firing a shot.
This spiritual hero is Father Viktor Koch, C.P., an American priest appointed to establish the Passionist Order's German-Austrian province. Throughout the turbulent war years, his demonstration of nonviolent resistance against Nazism strengthens his followers, the Schwarzen, who embrace their faith despite escalating pressure to abandon religious beliefs conflicting with Hitler's propaganda machine. An ensuing struggle between the Cross and Swastika sets the stage for a remarkable story woven into World War II's historical tapestry.
Compiled from archival records, personal correspondences, and detailed eyewitness testimony collected in Schwarzenfeld, Germany, our online article presents a biographical sketch of Father Viktor and the highlights of his true story. Please visit our Gallery section for images supplementing this online presentation.
Next: Part 1 — Who is Father Viktor Koch? »