George Matulaitis Journal

149 the full weight of the burden that had fallen upon me. It was a difficult time, but I had to make my peace with God’s will. From my conversation with Professor Mi = kowski, I understood that the Polish clergy of Vilnius were none too pleased with my appointment, l although some were glad that I was coming. Soon the representatives of the Lithuanian Council, Father Petrulis and Mr. Vizbaras, 2 came to con- gratulate me. My friend, Father Kukta, 3 was with them as well. We had some discussion about the forthcoming consecration and installation. They wanted me to have the consecration in Vilnius and asked me to come as soon as I received the papal bull. We also discussed the order of the speeches. I expressed the opinion that the first address should be in Polish, since Poles were in the majority in Vilnius. The Council delegates argued that I ought to speak in Lithuanian first, since this is the Lithuanian State and its Council requires it. I responded that I had not been appointed Bishop for the State, but, rather, for the people. M y duty was to the people and to the Church; consequently, I must consider their needs. The Council delegates were not very pleased with my decision to speak in Polish first. They also wanted me to speak in Belorussian. 4 I agreed that the bull be read in Belorussian, but whether I would speak in Belorussian or not was a matter that I would decide after consulting with others. As a people, the Belorussians are not yet conscious of their national identity. But, in any case, I asked Father To = oczko 5 to prepare a short speech. I received word from Warsaw that the bull 6 might take several, even up to six months, to arrive. I calmed down somewhat and resumed my work. On November 5th, I left for Kaunas. I wanted to 1 On Oct. 18, 1918 the Vilnius Cathedral Chapter was informed of the appointment. 2 Kazimieras Vizbaras: a member of the Lithuanian Council; later became a minister in President Smetona’s cabinet. 3 Juozapas Kukta (1873-1942): Matulaitis’s close friend from their student days at the Theological Academy of St. Petersburg. After ordination in 1898, he was professor at the Vilnius Seminary; in 1902-1909 he worked in the diocesan chancery. He was active in the religious and cultural life of the Lithuanians in Vilnius. Appointed canon in 1917, he became the only Lithuanian member of the Vilnius Cathedral Chapter. 4 A people related to the Russians and Ukrainians ethnically and linguistically, but fighting for their own identity as a nation. The Belorussian National Council convened in Mi<sk March 25, 1918, to proclaim Belorussia an independent republic, but the Red Army took over almost immediately and set up a communist government. 5 W = adys = aw To = oczko (1887-1952): a Belorussian priest, writer, and journalist, who wrote articles in Belorussian, Polish, and Lithuanian for the Vilnius press. He was a staunch supporter of Bishop Matulaitis and often defended him in the press. 6 Pope Benedict XV’s bull appointing Matulaitis Bishop of Vilnius was dated October 23, 1918.