Friends of Franz and Ben launch bensalmon.org

The Friends of Franz and Ben (www.franzjagerstatter.com) have been inspired by the loving witness rendered by WWII Austrian Catholic, Franz Jagerstatter. Franz refused to be part of the Nazi killing machine. In studying the courageous legacy of faith and conscience of Franz, we have found our own American Catholic hero of the Great War, World War I, Ben Salmon of Denver, Colorado Holy Family Parish.

Ben Salmon was one of four Catholic Conscientious Objectors to the so-called “War to End All Wars”.  Ben Salmon became one of the most prolific writers and agitators in opposition to United States entry into the Great War (WWI).

Today, we are launching the first ever Ben Salmon internet site at www.bensalmon.org. We will be adding to the site in coming months and years. We ask that you assist us in spreading the word of this man of faith, courage and morality. We want people to understand that Ben Salmon was opposed to all war. He did not believe that any war was just. He saw this as a contradiction to the non-violent Jesus Christ. 

Salmon's church and country so opposed him that he was first sentenced to death for not agreeing to train to kill. Then, he was punished by the United States Government in his journey through the federal prison system. 

We believe that Ben Salmon was a hero to his Catholic faith and should be on a track to canonization. 

We urge Catholics of Denver and of the nation to support Ben in the process of beatification and eventually canonization.