George Matulaitis Journal

112 permanently to represent the Catholic Church of Russia, Lithuania, Poland, and also Posnania and Galicia and to inform the Holy See about the state of the Church in those territories. 1 He said that he had already discussed the matter with Cardinal De Lai and that everything could be arranged. Then he told me that I would hold an official position as con- sultant to the Consistorial Congregation that decides the most important ecclesiastical matters: I would attend its meetings and have the right to vote. Of course, he said, I could then expect no position in Russia. He had been assured by Cardinal De Lai that such a representative would be guaranteed a secure future. As for the financial side of it, the diocese of Galicia would contribute the necessary funds to maintain the position. Now is a good time to introduce such a representative because the Holy Father would gladly approve, but there is no telling what may happen. Such a consultant is much needed here in Rome, since theVatican often receives complex and contradictory information and does not know whom to trust. The Church suffers because of it. I admitted that such a representative is absolutely necessary, but as for myself, I see many difficulties: a. I have just begun to build up our newly renovated Congregation; this work cannot be abandoned. b. I am Lithuanian; it’s doubtful whether the Poles would consider me trustworthy. c. I don’t speak Italian; but that is a minor problem, since it is easy to learn. d. I do not feel that I have any talent for diplomacy—my French is imperfect and I am not very good at entertaining guests. I find it easier to express myself one on one, but I am not very eloquent in public and am not a good conversationalist. e. Generally speaking, my ideal in life is different: up until the present, I have avoided influential positions, for I am determined to follow Christ on another path. f. But especially, I emphasized the point once again that the work for our Congregation deters me. It is necessary that I devote myself com- pletely to it, now that we have made a start. Monsignor Sapieha asked whether it would be possible to transfer 1 Pope Pius X (1903-1914) was very interested in achieving better relations between the Russian Orthodox and the Catholic Church in lands ruled by Russia as well as improving the difficult conditions of the Catholic Church in the subjugated nations of Eastern Europe.