During the Christmas season, as Calapan City comes alive with faith-filled celebrations, including the feast of the Sto. Niño, which draws thousands of devotees and vacationers, many pass by a quiet reminder of a shepherd who once gave everything for his flock. Standing at the entrance of the city is a memorial monument at Finnemann Plaza in Barangay Calero, dedicated to Bishop Wilhelm, also known as William Finnemann, SVD, the first bishop of Mindoro and a martyr of the Second World War.
From Germany to the Philippines
Born in Germany and later naturalized as a Filipino, Bishop Finnemann was appointed in 1936 as the first Prefect Apostolic of Mindoro, now the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan. He also served as auxiliary bishop of Manila and carried out missionary work in Abra in northern Luzon. But it was in Mindoro where his pastoral leadership and courage would be most deeply remembered.
Missionary Work and Education
Parish records show that the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) formally began their pastoral work in Calapan on December 6, 1936. Earlier that year, on July 2, Oriental Mindoro was declared an Apostolic Prefecture, with Finnemann at its helm. Seeking to strengthen evangelization, he invited the Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) to help establish a Catholic school. In May 1937, Holy Infant Academy, named in honor of the Child Jesus or Sto. Niño opened its doors to young Mindoreños.
Courage in the Face of War
In 1941, when war broke out in the Pacific, Japanese forces occupied Calapan. Although German nationals were initially spared because Germany was Japan’s ally, Bishop Finnemann refused to remain silent in the face of abuses, particularly the mistreatment of women and girls. By then already a Filipino citizen, he openly opposed these atrocities, a stand that made him increasingly unpopular with the occupying forces.
Martyrdom and Sacrifice
On October 26, 1942, Bishop Finnemann was told he would be brought to Manila aboard a patrol boat. Soon after, word spread that he was dead. It was later learned that he had been thrown into the sea near Verde Island, off the coast of Batangas, for refusing to cooperate with the abuses of the Japanese military.
A Moral Hero in Calapan
Today, many in Calapan regard him not only as a church leader but also as a moral hero. King Alfred Corona, an officer of the Knights of Columbus, has spent more than a decade promoting awareness of the bishop’s life and sacrifice.
He describes Finnemann as “a role model who inspires the clergy and the laity alike to protect human dignity, especially that of women, and to defend life at all costs.”
Through commemorations, prayer card distributions, youth activities, and public talks, Corona and fellow knights continue to honor the bishop’s legacy. In 2019, their efforts helped lead to the passage of a city resolution declaring Bishop Finnemann a “Local Hero” of Calapan, followed by the construction of the memorial monument at Finnemann Plaza.
Faith and Beatification Efforts
For Corona, this recognition is not only about remembrance but also about faith. “It can help advance the cause for his beatification,” he said, noting that Finnemann’s fidelity mirrors Christ, the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep. Calls to honor him further continue. Fellow Knight Oscar Ricaflanca has proposed naming a street after the bishop, possibly near Holy Infant Academy, so that future generations may remember the German-born priest who became Filipino and chose martyrdom over silence.
Efforts toward sainthood remain alive. Fr. Andy Peter Lubi, the rector of Sto. Nino Cathedral, Calapan City, said prayers continue for the bishop’s beatification, with hope that a miracle may one day be attributed to his intercession. In January 2023, the SVD launched the book “Wilhelm Finnemann: An SVD Filipino Martyr” by Fr. Michael Layugan, SVD, at Divine Word College in Calapan. Another short biography is also being sold to support the cause. Fr. Layugan described Finnemann as “a true missionary, a true Filipino, and a martyr, an illustration of humanity at its best.”
A Lasting Witness
In a world still yearning for moral and spiritual heroes, the life of Bishop Wilhelm Finnemann remains a quiet but powerful witness of courage rooted in faith, and love strong enough to face death itself.
