Norwegian bishops and royals clash over princess's remarks

Princess Martha Louise ruffled feathers among some of Norway's bishops and other leaders of the state Lutheran Church when she told reporters she can communicate with the dead. Before that, she claimed to be able to get in touch with angels.


The princess and co-author Elisabeth Samnoy have a book out on how people can find their guardian angels.

The princess, daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, told the newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad that “it’s not difficult to come in contact with the dead, in the same way with angels. We can also make contact whenever we want, when we want to.”

Things heated up when bishops approached Norway's media, upset that Princess Martha Louise's comments about contacting the dead allegedly went against the doctrines of Norway's state church.

Laila Rikaasen Dahl, a Norwegian bishop speaking on behalf of other bishops, complained to NRK: “...(the dead) belong to God and should be allowed to rest in peace," adding that  they should be remembered, not contacted, and trying to communicate with them might "open up for the powers of the occult..."

For her part, the princess said her remarks were taken out of context: "We operate with personal development... not with conjuring up the spirits."


On Sept. 8, Crown Prince Haakon stepped into the fray to defend his sister. Criticizing what he referred to as backbiting, he said obliquely: "I have a very good sister,” he said. “She is caring and genuinely concerned with taking care of other people. I won’t go into more details about that, because you know what I’m talking about.”

Princess Martha Louise remains fourth in line as an heir to the throne.

Views and News from Norway
http://www.newsinenglish.no/2010/09/15/crown-prince-defends-his-sister/

Views and News from Norway
http://www.newsinenglish.no/2010/09/14/princess-upsets-norways-bishops/