George Matulaitis Journal

152 November 30 Monsignor Bajko 1 and Canon Lubianiec, 2 the Cathedral Chapter delegates, with the representative of the Vilnius clergy, Father Kretowicz, 3 arrived from Vilnius. Several more diocesan priests came as well. Monsignor Bajko said that some of the members of the nobility had been planning to attend but apparently had decided against it. They did not like the fact that my consecration was to be held in Kaunas. The representatives of the Lithuanian Council and other government officials were there too. December 11 4 The consecration took place December 1st. It was performed by the Bishop of Kaunas [Karevi ius], with Monsignor Bajko and Monsignor Dabrila 5 of Vilkavi kis assisting. The Bishops of Sejny and Mi<sk as well as His Excellency Bishop O’Rourke, designated Bishop of Riga, were unable to come. After the consecration, I was congratulated by various Lithuanian del- egations and by a representative of one of the Polish girls’ organizations. I listened to the various greetings and acknowledged them in Lithuanian. In my remarks I kept strictly to Christ’s ideals and to pastoral topics so as not to offend anyone. Later on I also spoke in Polish. After everyone else, two representatives arrived from Lithuania Minor (Prussia). They were soldiers who extended their congratulations and also presented a petition expressing a desire to be reunited with Lithuania proper. At about six o’clock in the evening, there was a dinner at the Kaunas Seminary. Again there were various speeches in Lithuanian and in Polish. I replied to each in turn, keeping to pastoral topics and reminding everyone that we must all remain faithful to the ideals of Jesus Christ. 1 Karol Bajko (1859-1923): presided over the Vilnius Cathedral Chapter for a time in 1918, while Msgr. Hanusowicz was administrator of the diocese. 2 Karol Lubianiec (1866-1942): completed his studies at the Vilnius Seminary and the Theological Academy of St. Petersburg, ordained 1898; an honorary canon and member of the Cathedral Chapter, pro- fessor and vice-rector of the Seminary. Director of Social Action in the diocese, he also headed various Polish social and charitable organizations; an active supporter of the Polish National Democratic Party. 3 Jan Kretowicz: assistant to Msgr. Wo=od{ko , dean of priests; often acted as representative of the Polish priests of the diocese. 4 Actual entry date uncertain: a series of events between Dec. 1 and 11 are recorded. 5 Matas (Matthew) Dabrila (1846-1935): monsignor; ordained in 1869. Worked in various parishes in southern Lithuania in the Diocese of Sejny; 1890-1914—pastor and dean in the cathedral town of Vilkavi kis. During WW I was administrator of the Diocese of Sejny.