Former dean Ole Elias Holck gave a sobering lecture on “The Norwegian Church’s role during World War II” under Hedemarken Defense Association annual meeting. Excerpts of the speech is reproduced here as a contribution in dikusjonen about the necessity of, at any time, to have a good contingency and a good defense.
This year 75 years ago Norway was occupied and 70 years ago we were liberated. What happened, and how the church handled the crisis? Norwegian naivety ensured that we were unprepared for what happened. The government had bet that calls to solve problems. The German envoy said Hitler not intended assaulting kingdom Norway’s political integrity and independence. We know this as we know did not happen. King and Parliament fled via Hamar to England.
Bishop Eivind Berggrav was central to the ecumenical work before the war came to the country, that would gather and talk. One focused on ethics of conviction instead of the ethics of responsibility. Man was idealists and opted for the open mind, the power of love instead of being realpolitik. In other words, took the church a more pacifist stance. Berggrav also traveled to Berlin 21.4.40 to talk with Hermann Göring about peace. It was a futile attempt. He later wrote a note in which he admitted that it did not lead anywhere. He wrote, for example, about Göring that he was a strange guy, “a collection of balloons.”
Conclusion ahead and at the start of the war was that it wanted peace cooperation across national borders Norden, also between royal houses. April 16 showed Berggrav to the Hague Convention on the civil resistance was a betrayal countrymen. The Germans thought he was a man of peace. Berggravs words that day were subsequently widely considered pacifying and counted as a stab in the back shock of the king. However, the intention was to avoid loss of civilian life.
Kongens no was another solution than in Denmark. Where surrendered one early when Watching the violent over power, but one used by each of the opposing type in the press. This also happened in Norway, but they became more and more censored with time. Kaj Munk, who before the war had a “frayed” reputation, this turned after Kristallnacht in 1938, but he was still the battle with weapons. One would expect that the Lord would intervene, wait for the right time.
Through piety should wait and pray. 12. May 1940 he writes in Jyllands Posten that one should this. He dissuaded armed resistance. Resistance was futile. He compared the German occupation with the Roman occupation in Jesus’ time. Instead of resistance struggle he urged patience. Munck solicitations was supported by many, but also met resistance. The solution to the occupation was to grow old values, and with time the Germans would be beaten. It was a struggle between what is right and true and Satan works.
Much of this was also the Norwegian Church attitude. Munk put into words what the priests in Norway wanted. Munk turned eventually, when what he saw, not successful. It was no use with this passive resistance. He wanted nothing more with the occupiers do. They would now meet with “icy coldness,” he wrote in 1943. In Norway, his thoughts and poetry of great importance. When Berggrav imprisoned in your own cabin in Asker, 1942, succeeded increasingly getting greetings from Munk. In 1943 he received, among other supporting statement to endure.
Beyond 1941, it was clear to Berggrav that the old attitude had to be revised and was leading in “Christian consultation.” They prepared a “pastoral letter” that went on this and went in for an official closure winter 1942 came with confession “Church because”. This led to Berggrav arrest. The bishop in Trondheim was also arrested. Along with schools stood the civil struggle against Mödling of society. The weapons that Kaj Munk had laid the groundwork for, was that you had to show a cold shoulder and reject any collaboration with the Nazis.
The change happens quickly, to get the Nazi Council of Churches forestall . There was word that disobedient bishops probably would be fired. The bishops chose to terminate the position had with the state administration to do, not as priests and preachers. The government had failed the people, it was thought. They had abused their role. This was the theological vision. For churches retained the words his position. Priests and teachers took after and resigned their posts. Now facing the church occupation forces back.
Church Kampen also had a foreign branch. These were important support for those in utenlandstjenste, as sailors and soldiers. London was the seat of the church. New York was also a headquarters. They should therefore protect those who for various reasons was abroad and could not return home. In Liverpool, it was the beginning of years of peace until 2 – 300 ships in port also this was an important city. These churches were important to maintain morale and give support to those who needed it, to give hope and faith. Church collaborated with the king and the Norwegian government, gave support to the Norwegians and took care of the Norwegian values.
Conclusion: Before and during the first part of the war, the church represented the Norwegian values; that one should turn the other cheek. The church was not pacifist but Berggrav was. The question comes about “where is the limit”? When things did not turn the other cheek, you have to act. It was then Kaj Munk and Berggrav was dangerous. The Norwegian church was probably very divided. A portion was pasisfistisk, while the other part supported military resistance. During the war the church was thus an important partner for peace. What about the situation as it is today, nationally and internationally?
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