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1940-1945. The resistance in the dutch province of Limburg

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The clergy

Already before the war, the Dutch churches expressed it clearly: national socialism is incompatible with Christian principles. Also bishop Lemmens of Roermond was very resolute in this. In the Limburg resistance, especially in helping people in hiding, the clergy were prominent at every level, among them especially vicars, i.e. the assistant priests in the parishes. Due to the shortage of priests, this function hardly occurs today. The bishop’s secretary, uncle Leo Moonen, was a co-founder of the LO and, like so many of his colleagues, had to pay for it with his life.
The orthodox-reformed clergy, especially in the mining district around Heerlen, were as diaspora parishes an even tighter group and were especially active in helping Jews. In this context, see the work of the Group NV.
See also the list of clergymen who were active in the Valkenburg area, including those who did survive the war. And that is just one rayon (sub-district) of the LO.

  1. Wikipedia NL Guillaume Lemmens
  2. 1. groep NV
    2. wikipedia NL NV (verzetsgroep)
  3. ⛪ Valkenburg ⛪
  4. bisdom-roermond.nl/ Limburgse bisschoppen herdenken in oorlog omgekomen priesters en religieuzen

The fallen resistance people in Limburg

The clergy – 43 pers.

Baars,
Bernhardus Johannes
Bernhard “Jacques”
∗ 1913-10-20
Rotterdam
† 1945-04-27
Bergen-Belsen
- The clergy - Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Wittem -

Father Bernhard Baars C.s.s.R. lived in the Redemptorist monastery in Wittem. [1]
He was the subdistrict leader of the LO-Wittem, which belonged to the district of Gulpen. The …

wall: right, row 39-01
Beckhoven, van
Gerardus
Pater Beatus
∗ 1899-09-21
Amsterdam
† 1945-03-20
Bergen-Belsen
- Initial resistance - Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Underground Press - The clergy - Heerlen - People in hiding -

Gerard van Beckhoven or Father Beatus van Beckhoven OFM was kapelaan (vicar) in Heerlen at the rectorate church of St. Francis on the Laanderstraat in Heerlen [1] and there he became a …
More in our story Resistance in Valkenburg
wall: left, row 15-02
Berix,
Jan Willem
Giel
∗ 1907-04-12
Meers
† 1945-03-13
Bergen-Belsen
- Initial resistance - Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Heerlen - People in hiding - The clergy -

Since september 10, 1933, Giel Berix was a kapelaan (in the Netherlands a term for Roman Catholic auxiliary parish priests, vicars. In Belgium they are also called Onderpastoor) at St. …

More in our story Resistance in Valkenburg
wall: left, row 15-04
Boorn, van den
Eugène Alphonse Georges
Eugène
∗ 1911-07-04
Maastricht
† 1944-11-05
Effeld, Kr. Geilenkirchen
- The clergy - Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Posterholt -

Eugène van den Boorn came from Gronsveld, near Maastricht [1] and during the occupation, he was rector in Posterholt near
wall: right, row 03-02
Eurelings ,
Martin Noël
Martin
∗ 1912-12-25
Schimmert
† 1945-03-17
Diez an der Lahn
- The clergy - Forced Labor - Initial resistance -

After his priestly studies in Roermond, Martin Eurelings became parish vicar (assistant parish priest) in Nevers (F) [1].
There he was arrested on January 19, 1942. [2]

Geelen,
Theodorus Gertrudis Hubertus
∗ 1904-02-04
Zwolle
† 1962-05-19
Roermond
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Meerssen - The clergy - Survivors -

Vicar in Meerssen since 1928, 1944 pastor of the male youth work in Limburg, pastor of a parish in Roermond. Pierre Schunck of the L.O. Valkenburg wrote: “In 1942 I heard from
More in our story Resistance in Valkenburg
Goossens,
Emile Antoon Felix
Emile
∗ 1903-01-21
Venlo
† 0000-00-00
Bergen-Belsen
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Echt - The clergy - People in hiding -

Emile Goossens was a vicar in Echt 1936-1945. For allied pilots, Jewish fellow citizens and resistance fighters in hiding, he set up escape routes as far away as Belgium and northern France.
wall: left, row 07-01
Hamers,
Anna Maria Josepha
zuster Emaria
∗ 1921-03-10
Bocholtz
† 1945-12-29
Kerkrade
- The clergy - Forced Labor - Bocholtz -

Anna Maria Josepha Hamers was the eldest daughter of the Hamers-Claessens family in Bocholtz.
As Sister Emaria, she had joined the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy …

This person is not (yet?) listed on the walls of the chapel.
Helwegen,
Frans
∗ 1910-09-22
Roermond
† 1945-02-13
Buchenwald
- The clergy - Roermond -

Photo: The Hagiography Circle [1] → → → →Frans Marie Joseph Helwegen was a roman catholic priest of the eastern rite in Lithuania. Therefore, he was considered an agent of the …
wall: right, row 07-02
Hendrix,
Johannes Jozef
Jan
∗ 1901-03-09
Grubbenvorst
† 1945-02-09
Buchenwald
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - The clergy - Maasbracht -

Jan Hendrix grew up in Geysteren. [1] In 1927 vicar in Maasbracht. Traces of War [2] calls him headmaster.
When Father Bleijs found Rector J.J. Hendrix of …
wall: left, row 27-02
Hennekens,
G. Hub
∗ 1909-02-15
Sittard
† 1970-11-26
Heerlen
- Valkenburg - The clergy - Initial resistance - Survivors - Group Smit -

He was ordained priest on March 13, 1937, was vicar in Berg en Terblijt from September 1937, vicar in the parish of Sts . Nikolaas & Barbara in Valkenburg from May 1939, parish priest in Rothem …

Hermkens,
Gerardus Hendrikus Hubertus
"Arie"
∗ 1903-01-05
Venlo
† 1945-02-18
Buchenwald
- The clergy - Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Montfort -

The L.O. at Montfort was led by H. Seegers and Vicar Gerard Hermkens. On December 16, 1944, the Germans started their Ardennes Counteroffensive [1], a.k.a. Battle of the Bulge. So the …

wall: left, row 38-04
Heuvel, van den
Gerardus Henricus Adrianus
Gerard
∗ 1900-07-22
Made en Drimmelen
† 1945-03-06
JVA Köln
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Roermond - The clergy -

Gerard van den Heuvel CssR was a Redemptorist, just like his colleague Ludo Bleys and, like him, he worked as a chaplain in the …
wall: middel, row 21
Hoogendijk,
Herman Charles Joseph
Herman
∗ 1897-01-24
Den Haag
† 1945-04-10
Buchenwald
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - The clergy - Roermond -

From 1935 Herman Hoogendijk was a Dutch Reformed [1] pastor in Roermond. Married, 4 children. Member of LO-Roermond, also representative of the NSF [2.1] (Nationaal Steunfonds = …
wall: right, row 06-04
Horsmans,
Wim (Willem Bernard Jozef)
∗ 1912-05-20
Ubachsberg
† 1987-05-31
Heerlen
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Local contacts - The clergy - Survivors -

Vicar in Valkenburg 1938-1950. Contact person of the LO for people in hiding, together with the sexton Harie van Ogtrop, supported by J. Peusens and …
More in our story Resistance in Valkenburg
Houben,
Hubertus Petrus Hermanus
Sjeng
∗ 1915-07-09
Eys, gem. Wittem
† 1945-05-19
Ludwigslust
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - The clergy - Wittem -

Hubertus Petrus Hermanus Houben was vicar in Epen and local head of the Catholic Action. [1]
Because he knew many people, he was an important link in smuggling people across the near …

wall: right, row 38-05
Jacobs,
Karel
Père Hugues /Pater Hugo
∗ 1900-11-17
Antwerpen
† 1943-10-09
Bunnik (Utrecht)
- Underground Press - The clergy - Initial resistance - Erkens Group - Belgium -

He was not a resistance fighter in the Dutch province of Limburg, but was in close contact with them and therefore also appears on this list. His resistance activity began by helping escaped …


This person is not (yet?) listed on the walls of the chapel.02-03
Jong, de
Hendrik Roelof
Henk
∗ 1911-10-20
Wijmbretseradeel
† 1945-02-12
Haarlem
- Underground Press - Local contacts - People in hiding - - NV - The clergy - Local contacts - Venlo -

In 1940, Hendrik Roelof de Jong was appointed pastor of the Reformed Church in Venlo. He was co-editor of the illegal newspaper Trouw and a collaborator of the Nationaal Steun Fonds (National …
wall: right, row 28-05
Kleine Zusters van de Hl. Joseph,

∗ 
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Women in the resistance - Heerlen - The clergy - Survivors -

The St. Joseph Hospital on the Putgraaf [1] in Heerlen during the occupation was firmly in the hands of the resistance and in particular the aid organization for people in hiding LO. This was …

Knops,
Hubert Maria
∗ 1888-08-05
Heerlen
† 1944-04-23
Echt
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - The clergy - Echt -

Parish priest of Koningsbosch, municipality of Echt. Arrested 29 February 1944 for helping people in hiding.R.C. Cemetery at Koningsbosch, grave opposite entrance middle …

This person is not (yet?) listed on the walls of the chapel.04-18
Lemmens,
Johannes Antonius Mathias
Jan
∗ 1912-04-28
Limmel
† 1945-03-25
Nordhausen
- Maastricht - Belgium - The clergy - Forced Labor - Secret Army (B) -

Photo: The Hagiography Circle [1] →Jan Lemmens was born in Limmel [2.1], a village then belonging to the municipality of Meerssen and today to Maastricht.
He was a …

This person is not (yet?) listed on the walls of the chapel.-
Linders,
Johannes Antonius
Pater Sebaldus
∗ 1907-06-15
Mook
† 1944-08-11
Kamp Vught
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - The clergy - Limburg + - People in hiding -

Jan Linders was born in Mook, entered the Franciscan order under the name Sebaldus and was ordained priest in 1933. During the war he lived in the monastery in Alverna [1] (Wijchen) and was …


This person is not (yet?) listed on the walls of the chapel.
Lochtman,
Hein
∗ 
- The clergy - Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Kerkrade - Maastricht -

On the wall of the resistance chapel in Valkenburg there is also a Hein Lochtman under Maastricht, as vicar in Limmel. This is the same person.
wall: left, row 25-03
Lochtman,
Hendrik Joseph
Hein
∗ 1911-09-02
Kerkrade
† 1945-02-27
Bergen Belsen
- The clergy - Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Kerkrade - Maastricht -

Hein Lochtman was a vicar in Limmel from 1940 and member of LO in Maastricht. He hid people in …
wall: left, row 33-04
Merkx,
Adrianus Hubertus Josef
broeder Valentinus
∗ 1892-08-13
Hooge en Lage Zwaluw
† 1945-03-31
Bergen-Belsen
- The clergy - Weert -

On June 21, 1944, a meeting of the leaders of the L.O. Province of Limburg took place at the Boys’ Boarding School of St. Louis (of the Brothers of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, also …

wall: right, row 37-01
Meulendijks,
Johannes
pater Christofoor
∗ 1895-11-16
Asten
† 1945-03-10
Bergen-Belsen
- The clergy - Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Venlo - Valkenburg -

Father Christofoor was a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts [1] (ss.cc.). He lived in the cloister on the Cauberg in Valkenburg. After vicar
wall: right, row 29-02
Moonen,
Jan Leo
ome Leo
∗ 1895-08-31
Heerlen
† 1945-04-02
Bergen-Belsen
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - The clergy - Roermond - -

Uncle Leo Moonen was the secretary of the diocese of Roermond, which is congruent with the Dutch province of Limburg. He was a co-founder and the spiritual advisor and so one of the de facto …
wall: right, row 08-03
Muhren,
Piet
Père Étienne /Pater Stephanus
∗ 1908-09-14
Bergen-op-Zoom
† 1943-10-09
Bunnik (Utrecht)
- Underground Press - The clergy - Initial resistance - Erkens Group - Belgium -

Petrus („Piet“) Johannes Cornelis Muhren was not a resistance fighter in the Dutch province of Limburg, but was in close contact with them and therefore also appears on this list. His …


This person is not (yet?) listed on the walls of the chapel.02-04
Naus,
Jacobus Johannes
Jac “Van Doorn”
∗ 1913-12-31
Egchel (Helden)
† 1945-04-15
Bergen-Belsen
- People in hiding - Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Venlo - The clergy - -

On June 6, 1939, Jac Naus was appointed vicar in the parish of St. Martinus in Venlo. There, together with Ambrosius and his …
wall: right, row 29-04
Oppen, van
Jules Louis Antoine
∗ 1882-05-10
Maastricht
† 1943-02-16
Vught
- Initial resistance - The clergy - Venlo -

Dean Jules van Oppen was the first clergyman in Venlo and all of Limburg to pay for his resistance with death. After the German invasion on May 10, 1940, he opposed the German films that were shown …

wall: right, row 30-04
Penders,
Leo
∗ 1914-07-01
Voerendaal
† 1945-04-24
Bergen-Belsen
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Gulpen - The clergy - Voerendaal -

Vicar Leon Marie Hubert Penders headed subdistrict 2 of the LO with the places Gulpen, Reymerstok and Wylré. (See map 45. Gulpen district: division into subdistricts. Cammaert VIb, p.693 [1] …

wall: left, row 12-01
Peters,
Petrus Nicolaas Andreas
Piet
∗ 1912-11-27
Ottersum
† 1945-04-06
Buchenwald
- The clergy - Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - People in hiding - Tegelen -

Father Petrus Nicolaas Andreas Peters was a member of the L.O. Steyl and vicar. Pastor P.P. Windhausen, himself and three others from Steyl and …
wall: right, row 22-01
Prompers,
Nicolaas Maria Hubertus
Nic
∗ 1908-11-05
Sint Geertruid
† 2003-09-21
Gulpen
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Heerlen - The clergy - Survivors -

During one of the first days of September 1943, at the home of Rector Nic Prompers in the hospital, the L.O. district Heerlen was established. Prompers became the first district leader, but for …

More in our story Resistance in Valkenburg
Ramakers,
Victor Leo Servaas
Servaas
∗ 1906-04-23
Schinnen
† 1945-03-09
Bergen-Belsen
- Heerlen - Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Local contacts - The clergy -

Vicar in Heerlerheide. Arrested by the Landwacht on August 18, 1944. [1][2]
In his file at the OGS (Dutch War Graves Foundation) we read: Because of his commitment to …
wall: left, row 16-04
Regout,
Robert
∗ 1896-01-18
Maastricht
† 1942-12-28
Dachau
- Initial resistance - Maastricht - The clergy -

Robert Hubert Willem Regout was a Jesuit and legal scholar. In 1934, he received his doctorate from the University of Nijmegen on the doctrine of “just war”. From 1939 he was an associate …

This person is not (yet?) listed on the walls of the chapel.04-24
Rijnders,
Hendricus Leonardus Hubertus
Harrie / Harry
∗ 1914-12-29
Swalmen
† 1942-09-14
Dachau (D)
- Beesel - The clergy -

Hendrikus Leonardus Hubertus Rijnders was a vicar in Saint Quentin (France) and pastor in Gricourt. Arrested on July 17th, 1941 while on vacation at his parents’ in Reuver. With 150 other …

wall: left, row 03-01
Sars,
Adrianus Johannes Albertus
Adriaan
∗ 1905-12-26
’s-Hertogenbosch
† 1945-04-23
Passau (Mauthausen)
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - The clergy - Roermond -

Adriaan Sars was a vicar at the cathedral of Roermond and therefore, of course, a member of the LO.
With the arrival of a paratrooper battalion under the command of Major
wall: right, row 10-03
Verdonschot,
Leonardus Mattheus
Leo
∗ 1916-07-24
Weert
† 1945-03-02
Bergen-Belsen
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Echt - The clergy -

Vicar Verdonschot began his resistance work by helping French-speaking prisoners of war who had escaped from Germany. They were taken to Belgium via Wessem/Maasbracht-Stevensweert. (Cammaert …
wall: left, row 06-05
Vullinghs,
Hendrik Jacob
Henri
∗ 1883-09-14
Sevenum
† 1945-04-09
Bergen-Belsen
- Initial resistance - Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Grubbenvorst - The clergy - Zwarte Plak -

Catholic parish priest of Grubbenvorst and building parish priest in Grashoek, studied musicology in Italy and the United States. He was known as a very open-minded and culturally enthusiastic …

wall: left, row 11-03
Westerhoven, van
Jan
Pater Ferdinand
∗ 0000-00-00
† 0000-00-00
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Valkenburg - The clergy - Survivors -

As Father Ferdinand he was a member (and chief?) of the monastery on the Cauberg (sscc). Worked for the Resistance during the occupation. Involuntarily witnessed the “execution” of
More in our story Resistance in Valkenburg
Windhausen,
Peter
∗ 1892-06-29
Roermond
† 1945-03-28
Buchenwald
- People in hiding - The clergy - Tegelen -

Petrus Paulus Windhausen (Catholic parish priest in Steyl-Tegelen [1]), vicar P.N.A. Peters and three other people from Steyl …
wall: right, row 22-04
Wolf,
G.A.
∗ 0000-00-00
† 0000-00-00
- Aid to People in Hiding L.O. - Sibbe - The clergy - Survivors -

Rector in Sibbe 1939-1944. [1]
He helped Jews and Communists to hide, together with Abraham Cornelis van der Gronden. At the end of 1943 they …
More in our story Resistance in Valkenburg
Zwaans,
Hendrikus Joseph Alphonsus Maria
Hein /Harry
∗ 1898-04-03
Rotterdam
† 1942-07-27
Dachau
- Maastricht - The clergy - Initial resistance -

Jesuit Harry Zwaans came to Maastricht in September 1940 as director of the Canisius Congregation.
The chief of the municipal police in Maastricht wrote to the oorlogsgravenstichting (war …

wall: middel, row 19