THE CHURCH IN LATVIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80S01540R002000100001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 17, 2013
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: July 29, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

50X1 -HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/01/17: CIA-RDP80501540R002000100001-3
IliTELLOFAX 5
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
SACNBT/CONIMOL VS OFFICIAIS anr
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Oode, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its content,'
to or receipt by an unauthorised Person 18 917ffil8l4sff
by law. The reproduction of this form 10 prohibited.
SECURITY INFORMATION
50X1 -HUM
COUNTRY
SUBJECT
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
USSR (letvian &8R)
The Church in Latvia
REPORT
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
RD
29 July 1953
2
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THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
50X1 -HUM
1. Church natters in Latvia are dealt with by the soocalled. AdeinistSation of
Cults. The Orthodox Church OE Subsidized *es funds derived Trae the parishes
in Ruses proper, whereas the luthemn and Cat' to ?rchee have to subsiet
only on local dowdiest, which are very mall. The religiou* question
dues not exist, and there are so !synagogues in Latvia.
arviet Rcgc,T
2 Th 8Oviet policy towards the cinuth is twoosided. On. the One hand, the Sovieta
continue their teaching against that existence of God to the yams, and in
literature'andthe press. On the Other hand.; they display a previously unkeown
tolerance tanzaiitheteduellihtalirCOSes 141,VeG *Weal Ceellriret-361101-1111011010, -
who have abused the church have been accused of hODUSeeisaa. Thi* Oppliel,.
hoWewer, onWtollisLutheran and. Orthodox churc44-tortherdtrie no each totareake
toward the Catholic Church.'
'This policy of the, Soviets is another method. .of preventing the MUM of the
faithful pon turning against then. The church, as a Whale, has lost a great
datal of its influence, especially Smog Mad Ita*Ple and litudinttat? In the
schools) it is taught that thOre is so God; thus dentriving the faith .of children
who cam frog relidi*o* kooni. When the talk is about 40d, the ohildren .often
ask: willbere is this Gott" In the itress and within the Neraismol; there is a
constant campaign against christenings; confirmations; and weddings in church;
and those who particiiste"insuch -cerramicties are regarded. with Special disfavor.
Nevertheless, the Soviets de not hesitate to use the authority of the church for
their own propaganda purposive, electing the clergy far the various peace cond.
Terence& in Riga and KOScier.
Th.e/04.13M;144-ChVcil
I. All of the Lutheralt churches are still open, though there is a shortage of
pastors. The church adninietration, wad= the ltrAtrillhip of the former Pastor
Tura from. Bauska, who is now ale* the Archbishop,had. organize& isainaries, but
there are very few people now who wish to became patters. In the first yews
atter the war, there were a few arrests among the clergy for connections with
STATE
WRIT
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X I ARMY I X INAVY I X AIR' X FBI AEC I I I I I
(Wes Wasklestes DiserlbvNee limIlmAted By "X"; RAW Dherthemiee Sy "*".)
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/01/17: CIA-RDP80501540R002000100001-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/01/17: CIA-RDP80501540R002000100001-3
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/01/17: CIA-RDP80501540R002000100001-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/01/17: CIA-RDP80501540R002000100001-3
iNCIUO/COSTROL US OFFICIALS MILT
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II
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the partisans and for anti..Soviet propaganda from the. pu,lpiti but.raisuch.arreSte
have been noted. recently. It is not forbidden to go to church, but people do
not feel safe when they go. The churehea are still filled to overflowing on
church festivals. The Soviet authorities are pininning to rebuild* as an
historical mccument, the famous church of St. Peter in RigaArhich was destroyed
in June 1941:
Vie, _Iowa Pat1.1,1,0-1-1A
3. TV! CatiMaLte (.arch in Latvia is regarded. with great disfavor by the Soviets;
obvionifly because Moscow looks upon the Vatican as its great enemy. Anti.*
rel tui prepaganda.aszong the youth of Latgale a particularly Strong. Local
wormers never miss an opportutity to show up any faults in the church. The
result is that the yoong people of Latgale are strongly atheistic. The Soviets
hare established a school in Aglonar 'which is the center of Catholicism* and
they are prating the Tomsemol _movement with enormous energy. CaSes of per-
secution against Catholics are quite frequents, carpel-R-11y in the perishes where
the clergy showed smooth,/ in the trult for Ceramists during the German occupy..
tion.
1. W*OltiallACAmmext: prior to 50X1-HUM
October 1950, there was no difference of attitude toward. the Catholic
Qthurch.
2. Comment: Tura has previously been reported as a bishop. The
title of archbishop would be unusual in the Lutheran Church.
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szclurc/ccorma, US OFF'ICIATZ 01I1.1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/01/17: CIA-RDP80501540R002000100001-3