Josef Mayr-Nusser honored for conscientious objection

The Südtiroler Heimatbund and local community leaders are honoring Josef Mayr-Nusser, a South Tyrolean man recognized for his conscientious objection during the Nazi regime. Born in 1910 in Bolzano, Mayr-Nusser was a deeply religious individual who actively engaged in Catholic youth work.

In October 1944, while serving in Konitz near Danzig, Mayr-Nusser was called to join the Waffen-SS. While he agreed to take the Wehrmacht oath, he refused to swear the personal oath of loyalty to Adolf Hitler, which required obedience ‘until death.’ This decision was driven by his personal convictions and faith. He died on February 24, 1945, in a cattle wagon due to a hunger edema.

Commemorations continue at the Waldkirche in Lichtenstern, where his remains were interred until 2017. A bronze sculpture titled ‘Klingende Säule’ (Resonating Column) by artist Josef Rainer stands at the site, featuring rotating discs that represent virtues such as courage, faith, and loyalty. Local leaders emphasize that Mayr-Nusser’s legacy serves as a modern reminder of the importance of civil courage and taking responsibility against extreme ideologies.