The early church in Norway

	St. Eystein Erlandsson When: died 1188 Where: Norway What: Archbishop Feast: Jan. 26

It's hard to predict how people will behave. Consider the 12th century Norwegian saint, Eystein (it can be translated as Austin or Augustine) Erlandsson, whose controversial appointment as the country's second archbishop bucked all the odds.

Norway's first metropolitan see, or archdiocese, and 10 dioceses were created in 1152 when Card. Nicholas Breakspeare of England (later Pope Adrian IV) came to Norway as papal representative.

Five years later, after the archbishop's death, King Inge's chaplain, Eystein, was appointed the second archbishop of Nidaros (now Trondheim, a port city in central Norway) in 1157.

The problem with the appointment was that it was made by the king, rather than the church, in violation of rules set down by Card. Breakspeare. But rather than become a tool of the nobility, Eystein devoted himself to establishing the independence of the church, following the model being used in the rest of western Europe.

After being named archbishop, Eystein went to Rome to be ordained and to receive the pallium (a symbol of the office of archbishop) from Pope Alexander III. All this may have required some diplomacy because Eystein did not return to Norway until 1161.

But he came back, not only as an archbishop, but also as a special papal delegate. Once back, he finished work to enlarge the cathedral (parts of the building still stand).

After King Haakon II died, Jarl Erling Skakke wanted his eight-year-old son, Magnus, named king of Norway. Apparently, Eystein's diplomatic skills were employed again. Not only did the archbishop anoint and crown Magnus king -- the first time an archbishop had done this in Norway -- but the church was granted great freedom in conducting its affairs.

Eystein was able to put into practice a code of laws to require several church practices -- though clerical celibacy was not one. While he was not able to convince his diocesan priests to live in celibacy, Eystein did found several Augustinian communities in an attempt to introduce a model of celibate clergy into the country.

Eventually, Eystein was caught in the middle of a political fight when Sverre claimed that he was the illegitimate son of King Sigurd and therefore deserved to be king, rather than Magnus.

In 1181, Eystein fled to England, where he excommunicated Sverre and developed a devotion to St. Thomas Becket, which he later introduced to the Norwegian church.

In 1183, Eystein and Magnus were returning to Norway when their ship was attacked by Sverre. Magnus escaped to Denmark, but died the next year when the fight renewed. Eystein reconciled with King Sverre and lived in Norway until his death three years later.