High Praise for Dietrich Bonhoeffer When He Was a Vicar in Barcelona

Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s supervisor, Pastor Olbricht, sent Bonhoeffer off with fulsome praise and wrote the following letter on January 1, 1929:

“To the German Protestant Church Committee of Berlin,

I faithfully communicate concerning my vicar Lic. theol. Bonhoeffer, who completes his year and returns home on February 15.  He proved in every way to be very efficient and helped me greatly in my various activities.  He was especially able to attract the children, whom he loves more than anything, to the services.  His worship services for children were attended on average by forty children.  He has enjoyed the greatest popularity in the whole community.  I would be ever grateful if the German Protestant Church Community could send me a new, efficient vicar as soon as possible, who would be just as active.

With great respect, F. Olbricht, pastor”

(Renate Bethge, Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A Brief Life, 19).