George Matulaitis Journal

159 secretary, Father Steckiewicz, 1 handed it to me. Thus, after the fact. That is what I explained to Prime Minister Voldemaras in Lithuanian and to the Belorussian National Council in Belorussian. Neither the Lithuanians, nor the Belorussians had been very happy with the arrangements for the installation, but they could see that it was not my fault. The Cathedral Chapter had been responsible for them and I, as their guest, had to accept their decisions. At the luncheon with the Polish citizens they toasted my health in a way that put me on the spot. They expressed the hope that I would contribute to the rebirth of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. I replied that while I was living in Poland, I had served the Polish people with all my heart, and here I am determined to serve everyone as well. I told them that I did not know what the result of my work would be. Since I was a priest and bishop, I could preach only love, brotherhood, and unity to my people. It was my duty to make peace among them. As for political coalitions, these did not depend on me, nor were they in my power to bring about. The Poles seemed pleased with my words. There were many speeches, and one had to be careful not to say anything inappropriate. The following day, the Christian Democrats 2 invited me to a dinner, and again there were speeches and I had to be very careful. I pointed out that it was not my place to interfere in politics and that it was my hope that I could best serve my country by teaching the people true moral principles and reminding them of the teaching of Christ. Finally, the members of the Lithuanian Council and the government officials relented and invited me to a luncheon. Again, there were many speeches. The Lithuanians, Belorussians, Polish, and Jewish representatives as well as delegates from other political parties all spoke. I answered most of them in turn, then spoke to all of them together. I reminded them of the ideals and the teachings of Christ. Taking advantage of the occasion, I spoke briefly in defense 1 Juljan Steckiewicz (b. 1878): made honorary canon in 1917, while Msgr. Michalkiewicz was adminis- trator. When Matulaitis was Bishop of Vilnius, he worked in the chancery office intermittently between 1918 and 1921. 2 A Lithuanian political party whose program tried to harmonize Catholic social principles with nation- al aspirations. It held its first convention in Vilnius on November 20, 1918.