Pope, Michael: Alfred Delp S. J. im Kreisauer Kreis. Die rechts- und sozialphilosophischen Grundlagen in seinen Konzeptionen für eine Neuordnung Deutschlands, Mainz 1994

Michael Pope: Alfred Delp S. J. im Kreisauer Kreis. Die rechts- und sozialphilosophischen Grundlagen in seinen Konzeptionen für eine Neuordnung Deutschlands.

The resistance group known to the Gestapo as the »Kreisau Circle« brought together men whose social origins as well as political and religious convictions were equally diverse, in order to establish a common foundation for a Germany that would succeed the Nazi dictatorship.

The Jesuit Alfred Delp made considerable contributions to this circle’s efforts. His conceptions for reconstructing state and society after Hitler’s fall constitute the subject of the present study by Michael Pope.

In Pope’s analysis, Delp’s reflections on reorganizing Germany’s state, social relations, and economy emerged out of his critique of the times, as well as his anthropological and historical-philosophical insights, particularly concerning the social order and natural law as determined by Church teachings. Despite holding such ideologically unequivocal positions, Delp gained considerable influence over the Kreisau Circle’s work as a whole. He succeeded in winning acceptance for Catholic positions such as solidarism and natural law among Protestant and socialist collaborators, so that these could became foundations of the circle’s reorganization plans.

Of even greater significance than Delp’s influence in the pluralistic dialogue of Kreisau, however, is the fact that he died for his convictions. Delp’s thought and the ideals to which his life bore testimony received their ultimate validation in his martyrdom at Plötzensee.