Evening star., 1941-02-04
The Church in Norwoy

In a militant protest destined to
ring around the Christian world, the
seven Protestant bishops of Norway,
led by the Bishop of Oslo, have rem
Onstrated against Nazi tyranny in
their conquered country. Their
manifesto, addressed to the Educa-
ton and Church Councillor of State
in the guiSe of an appeal for "clarif-
cation" constitutes an outSpoken in
dictment Of the Norwegian new
order" The regime imposed by the
German authorities is pilloried on
three principal countS-open and
systematic encouragement Of vio-
lence and contempt for law; condi-
tionS which caused resignation of all
members of the Supreme Court, and
illicit interference, contrary to agree
ment, with church laws, including
preachers vow of secrecy which, the
bishops say, "is not only granted by
law, but is the foundation of the
church, the magma carta of the con-
science, and to abolish which is to
attack the church's life line"
The bishops contend that as long
as such grievances remain unrem-
edied, rights of the church and the
very fundamentals Of justice are alike
endangered. While the complain
ants are said hardly to hope their
protest will meet with satisfactory
response, it will create a deep impress
sion both in Norway and far beyond.
Stockholm dispatches describe it as
the most coherent caStigation of
totalitarian methods of violence,
broken pledges and abolition of
Christian rights and values yet made
by the Protestant Church within the
sphere of German influence"
Among specific incidents which
evoked the bishops defiance are the
recent attack by Quisling Storm
Troopers on OSlos commercial school,
when both teachers and pupils were
brutally beaten; similar outrage at
TrOndheim, and eXceSSes at other
points Denying any Semblance of
prOVOCatiOn for those inhumanitieS,
the bishops declare matters were
made worse by the attitude of the
supreme authorities, who not only
failed to arrest and punish the cul-
pritS, but ordered the police actively
to support the storm troopers.
Amid such lawleSsness, the bishops
assert, the church and it's servants
are deprived Of the ground for guild
ing conscience in matters of justice,
law and morals, including the role
of teaching Christians to be loyal to
the state. The churchS whole ex-
istence depends on this" the bishops
point out. 1t is thus nothing less that
the Nazi regime threatens. The gov
ernmental decree preceding with
draWal Of members of the Supreme
Court is branded as having been lin
open conflict with acknowledged
principles of law and as having alb
rogated the independence of the ju-
dietary"
Explaining that these reactionary
developments have created feelings
of deep insecurity within the
church." the bishops particularly
resent a system that breeds violence
and a mentality of hatred in people,
especially among the youth" While
it may be doubted that the coura-
geouS action of the Norwegian Prot
estant hierarchy will accomplish
alleviating results, it is a vigorous re-
minder to the world of the incom-
patibility of the totalitarian cult, not
only with Professionalism, but with any
form of religion or civiliza ton. 1t
also signifies that the embers of
revolt in German-occupied Europe
are agloW.