George Matulaitis Journal

203 split up into factions and are thinking of submitting to the Bolsheviks. They say that if we insist on keeping religious education at all costs, we can lose the Polish schools and that would be detrimental to nationalism. Thank God that some of the nationalist priests have become aware of this themselves. According to Father M i= kowski, the seminary is at fault for promoting this unhealthy nationalism among the priests. The seminary should be reorganized. Persons in positions of authority, especially the inspector, have a very narrow view of things, perhaps not so much from ill will as from ignorance. In the past, being of Lithuanian descent was seen as a danger to Catholicism at the seminary. Now, the national feeling of the Belorussians is regarded in the same way. The seminarians are aware of this and try to conceal their nationality. Consequently, their character deteriorates. Later, they become the most ardent nationalists. It is necessary to recognize all nationalities, to honor and nurture all of them equally. But then, he added, if the seminary did not foster the spirit of Polish nationalism, it would not receive financial support from the community. I replied that, in my opinion, every seminarian should learn Polish, since that language is essential for every priest in this area, where there are so many Poles. In addition, the Lithuanians can study their own language, and the Belorussians theirs. He said that it would be a good thing if everyone also learned Lithuanian as well so that priests could be transferred and appointed to various parishes without having to take language into account. I replied that I would not require this. For me, it is much more important that a priest leave the seminary with a truly Catholic and apostolic heart, that he be determined to serve and to meet the needs of all his flock without exception. Then, if necessary, he will learn another language. It means nothing that some priests know several languages if they use them for their own political purposes and for the good of their political party rather than for the salvation and welfare of the people. The importance of a Catholic and apostolic spirit can be seen, once again, in the example of the same Father Muckermann. Although he was German, he learned Polish. Although relations between the Polish and the German nations were at their worst,