Eivind Berggrav facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend Eivind Berggrav |
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| Bishop of Oslo Primate of the Church of Norway |
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Eivind Berggrav in 1940
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| Church | Church of Norway |
| Diocese | Oslo |
| In Office | 1937–1951 |
| Predecessor | Johan Lunde |
| Successor | Johannes Smemo |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1908 |
| Consecration | 1928 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 October 1884 Stavanger, Norway |
| Died | 14 January 1959 (aged 74) Oslo, Norway |
| Buried | Cemetery of Our Saviour |
| Nationality | Norwegian |
| Denomination | Lutheran |
| Spouse |
Kathrine Seip
( |
| Children | Dag Berggrav |
| Education | Cand.theol. |
| Alma mater | University of Oslo |
Eivind Josef Berggrav (born October 25, 1884 – died January 14, 1959) was an important Norwegian Lutheran bishop. He was the leader of the Church of Norway and became famous for bravely standing up against the Nazi occupation of Norway during World War II. Berggrav also played a big part in bringing different Christian churches closer together in the 1900s. He even led the United Bible Societies, which helps share Bibles around the world.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Eivind Berggrav was born Eivind Jensen in Stavanger, Norway. He grew up in a place called Asak. His father, Otto Jensen, was a teacher and a priest, just like his own father.
When Eivind was 22, his father briefly became Norway's Minister of Education and Church Affairs. Later, his father became a dean and then a bishop. Eivind's mother was Marena Christine Pedersen. His family had a strong connection to the church and education.
Becoming a Leader
Eivind started studying theology (the study of religion) at the University of Kristiania in 1903. Following his family's tradition, he became a priest in the Church of Norway. In 1907, he changed his last name to Jensen Berggrav, and later just to Berggrav.
After finishing university in 1908, Berggrav taught at schools for ten years. He also began writing for a journal called Kirke i Kultur (Church in Culture), which he continued to do for many years. During World War I, he even worked as a war reporter for Norway's biggest newspaper, Morgenbladet.
Berggrav became a parish priest in Hurdal and continued his studies, earning his doctorate in theology in 1924. For three years, he also served as a chaplain at the national prison in Oslo.
In 1928, Berggrav was chosen to be the bishop for the Diocese of Hålogaland in northern Norway. He traveled a lot, dedicating many new chapels in this large, rural area. In 1937, even though he was younger than many other candidates, he was chosen as the bishop for the Diocese of Oslo. This was the highest position in Norway's national church.
Berggrav gained international attention when he led the funeral of Queen Maud in 1938. He continued to lead the Norwegian church until 1951, except for a period during World War II when he was under house arrest.
Standing Up to the Nazis
Berggrav became famous worldwide for leading the Church of Norway's strong resistance against the Nazi occupation of Norway during World War II. He was under house arrest for most of the war.
Before the war, Berggrav tried to help bring peace between Germany and England. When Germany invaded Norway in April 1940, he first asked Norwegian Christians to stay out of the fighting. However, it soon became clear that the Nazis would not respect Norway's freedom of religion or its government.
The Nazis soon replaced Norway's government with one led by Vidkun Quisling, a Norwegian who supported the Nazis. In October 1940, Berggrav and six other bishops, along with leaders from other churches, formed the Christian Council for Joint Deliberation. When the Nazis tried to force the Church of Norway to change its church services, Bishop Berggrav refused.
Things got worse in January 1942 when Quisling was given more power. When Quisling's supporters tried to stop church services at Nidaros Cathedral, thousands of Norwegians gathered outside to sing hymns. The next day, all seven Norwegian bishops, including Berggrav, resigned in protest.
Soon after, Berggrav was arrested. He was first held in a concentration camp. However, some brave people from Germany helped save him from being executed. Instead, he was placed under solitary confinement in a remote hut in the forests north of Oslo. He was not allowed to see anyone except his guards.
In an amazing act of defiance, almost all the priests of the Church of Norway also resigned to protest the Nazi rule. Teachers did the same when Quisling tried to force Norwegian children to join a group similar to the Hitler Youth. Since all clergy were also civil servants, their refusal to obey the Nazi-backed government sent a powerful message to Norwegians: do not give in to tyrants.
Even under house arrest, Berggrav secretly met with the Norwegian underground resistance, sometimes wearing disguises like a policeman's uniform or a fake mustache. In 1944, Time magazine featured him on its cover, recognizing his courage.
Writer and Publisher
Berggrav wrote many books in Norwegian. Some of his books were translated into English, including The Norwegian Church in Its International Setting and Man and State.
In 1920, he started a local history association called Romerike Historielag. He continued to write for it even after he became a bishop. From 1938 to 1955, he also led the Norwegian Bible Society (Det Norske Bibelselskap), helping to spread the Bible.
Personal Life and Legacy
Berggrav was married to Kathrine Seip until her death in 1949. Their son, Dag Berggrav, became an important government official and sports leader. Eivind Berggrav died in Oslo and was buried in Vår Frelsers Gravlund.
After World War II ended, Berggrav received Norway's highest honor, the Order of St. Olav. He was also awarded the Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Harry S Truman.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America remembers Berggrav on January 14 in its Calendar of Saints. In a 2005 poll to find the "Norwegian of the Century," Bishop Berggrav was ranked 19th, showing how much he was respected in his country.
Images for kids
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Eivind Berggrav in 1940
