Religion: Hyperborean Bishop

In Washington's grey, massive St. Patrick's Church last week, three prelates laid their hands on the brown-thatched head of kneeling Johannes Gunnarsson, consecrated him Vicar Apostolic of Iceland, now burgeoning with U. S. troops. By their act they gave Ultima Thule its first native Roman Catholic Bishop in 393 years. Last one was Jon Arason. He and his two sons lost their heads in 1550 opposing Denmark's King Christian III and his edict that the island adopt the motherland's Lutheran faith.

The new Bishop's family has roots deep in Iceland's volcanic soil and history. His grandfather was a leader in the Althing,...