Death of Eminent Norwegian Convert

New Zealand Tablet, 11 May 1911, Page 881

Death of Eminent Norwegian Convert

Dr. Krogli-Tonning, the first Norwegian Lutheran clergyman to embrace the Catholic faith, passed away on February 19. He was regarded as one of the greatest theologians of his day in Norway. It was said by a Lutheran minister at the time of his conversion that he could have worn the mitre if he had remained in the Norwegian Church. Dr. Ivrogh-Tonning was born in 1842, and in 1867 passed his theological examination. He wrote several books, and the Academic College gave him the degree of doctor in Lutheran theology. His chief pastoral work was in the Gamle Akers Church, 'n Christiana (one of the most important parishes). The Gamle Akers Church dates from the eleventh century, and was then Catholic and dedicated to our Lady. His sympathy for the Catholic Church was roused principally through, reading the Lives of the Fathers, and also modern Catholic authors, especially Newman. As time went on he felt he could no longer remain in the Lutheran Church. The great sacrifice was now made, and he left the parish he loved so much. .- He.now went to the Jesuit Fathers In Aarhus, in Denmark, where his last difficulties were solved, his studies being interrupted by illness. His longing for the Bread of Life became so strong that one morning lie said to one of the Fathers: 'I can't wait any longer. ' I must become a Catholic so that I can receive the true Sacraments.' On June 13, 1900, he was received into the Church. This step was accompanied by great financial and other difficulties. ;: ■ ; Bjornstjerne Bjornsen, the celebrated Norwegian poet, writes of him as follows: 'lt is not often that we hear of any one, especially at his age, giving up so much as he has done- for conscience sake.' For the last ten years he spent a retired life, editing several works. -In 1905 he was made a doctor honoris causa ' in Catholic theology. His funeral was unique. The bodv was taken from Torfun (Our Lady's) Hospital to St. Olaf's Church, where a Requiem Mass was said. The church was full. In the afternoon, when he was taken to his last resting-place St Olaf's was again packed. Thirty-seven of his old confreres in the Lutheran Church accompanied his remains to the churchyard. The vestibule of the church was full of flowers; among them were many wreaths and crosses sent from the different parishes he had worked in while still a Lutheran priest. One was from his old parish, Gamle Akers Kirke, where ho had worked for many years. All the Protestant newspapers have been unanimous in praising this grand, noble, and upright man who gave up even" thing for the sake of conscience.