Political Activities of Dr. Grigorij Rožman, Bishop of Ljubljana, during the First Months of the Fascist Occupation

Abstract

Contrary to most previous studies, recent analyses of political events that took place at the beginning of the occupation indicate that on the eve of the attack of the Axis Powers on Yugoslavia leaders of the Slovene People’s Party did not strive to establish connections with the Western democratic powers (Great Britain). On the contrary, since the capitulation of France in the summer of 1940 they tried to closely lean toward the Axis. As a result, there has been a need for analyzing activities of the then political elite from a different angle. In light of this change it is also necessary to challenge and reinvent political actions of Dr. Gregorij Rožman, the then Bishop of Ljubljana. Based on relevant sources and literature, this paper suggests that with regard to his position, the role of Bishop Rožman was indeed specific but his political activities in the first months of the occupation were generally not significantly different from those undertaken by politicians in the homeland, who strived to resolve the Slovene question under the new order.