Evening star., 1942-03-07

ICSlSlldGIOIl ICdCllCu Ilic NkOlo1l1iS duL
nation of Bishop Eivand Berggrav o.
sition in Norway. Sixty-six minister
solidarity with the bishops, accordin
few exceptions, all Norwegian min
listers are backing the protest.
These wholesale designations are
not the first which have occurred IN
Norway. According to the Interna-
tional Christian Press and Informa-
ton Service of Geneva, highly re-
liable agency. many hundreds OF
pastors" recently resigned in protest
against. the reorganization, by the
Quisling regime, of the Norwegian
Pastors Association. The reorgan-
ization was evidently part Of a care
fully prepared plan by the state to
strip such groups and clergymen OF
power and thus break up the strong
and active opposition Of the churches
to the NaZi-dominated government.
First major step in the campaign
to destroy church influence was
taken last fall. when the Quislingite
department of ecclesiastical affairs
began to issue instructions directly
to the clergy, over the heads OF
the bishops. This action received
an immediate protest from Bishop
Berggrav, who, on behalf of all the
bishops, pointed out that the bishops
and not the state department rep
resent the church in all questions
of worship. The bishops were in
formed, however, that in the future.
church affairs would be conducted
without the advice OF church
leaders.
The resignation Of the bishops is
reported to have followed an inva-
sion of the Trmdheim Cathedral
by the Nazi police on February l.
and the issuance of an edict OF
the Quisling government requiring
all children between 10 and ID to
Join the Quisling version OF the
Nal Hitler Youth. The cathedral
incident arose when Quisling storm
troopers, supported by the police,
entered the cathedral during ser
mon and hoisted the storm troop
ers' flag over the altar.
Spring Offensive Planned.
Prior to the resignation of the
bishops, Swedish sources reported
that Nazis and Quislingites were
planning a spring offensive against
the Norwegian Church. During the
spring two bishops-Storen OF
Trondhei mand Maroni OF Stavan-
ger-are scheduled to retire accord
ing to the age limit. The Quisling
regime, it was stated. has already
decided who their successors will be.
They have also decided that the
new Bishop of Trondheim will re-
ceive the title Of archbishop. thus
replacing Bishop Berggrav as pri-
mate of the Norwegian Church. 1t
is reported that the vicar OF Ullern,
Blessing Dahle, a Quisling support
er. has been designated for the arch
bishopric.
Bishop Berggrav has been the
chief thorn in the side OF the Nazis
and the Quislingites for many
months. He refused to give church
support to recruiting campaign
aimed at enlisting troops to fight
with the Germans against Russia
He exasperated the highest govern
ment circles by declaring recently
that Christians would not accept
any one absolute authority In the
state. The totalitarian regimes"
he said. will smash everything and
everybody who represents that
which is holy and above the state.
He did not endear himself to the
authorities when he said. on an
other occasion, For the Norwegians.
only God-never Quisling-can be
q leader"
The Norwegian people have rallied
behind Bishop Berggrav and his
fellow church leaders. Norwegian
religion has gained in vitality. IL
Is said that never before has the
demand for Bibles been as great
as it is today, and that in proper
ton to the population OF Norway, 1t
is the greatest in the world.
Rabbis Discuss War Problems-
Reform rabbis of the country met
in Cincinnati for the annual con-
vention OF the Central Conference
of American Rabbis and were con-
cerned in large part with war prob
lens.
The convention voted complete
support of the war effort but stated
that such support does not neces-
sarilv constitute a departure from
traditions of peace or a denial OF the
divine mandate for peace"
The hope was voiced that a runl-
tive peace may be avoided and that
victory may come without the
propagation OF mass hatred for the
Axis powers"
In an unexpected action. the rao-
bis voted in favor of the formation
of a Jewish army In Palestine TO
fight in defense of its own land.
The action was preceded by bit
ter debate and was opposed by an
influential minority, including four
past presidents of the conference:
A drive against commerclal1zed
vice was urged upon the rabbis by
the Committee on Marriage, the
Family and Home.
= IL. orae;dopfiol oddresS Dr