George Matulaitis Journal

them in their work. Secondly, you can punish the Jews by excluding them — that is your own affair. However, such conduct is inappropriate for me as bishop. It is not fitting to exclude the progressives in distributing food. Every hungry and starving person deserves compassion and should be helped, regardless of his convictions or nationality. But so that you would not think that I am rejecting this proposal without serious deliberation, I will confer with the Chapter on what should be done.” Immediately after drinking a glass of tea, I went to see Monsignor Michalkiewicz. I found all the members of the Chapter gathered there as if by coincidence, except for Father Kukta, the only Lithuanian. They were reading some letter from His Excellency Archbishop Ropp. I explained the matter at hand. Michalkiewicz then sent his servant to call Father Kukta, but did not find him at home. The Chapter was of the opinion that I should not form or head such a committee. We decided that those two gentlemen should approach Fathers Kretowicz, Kuleszo, Olsza < ski and the various organizations for the welfare and relief of the poor. I then informed the two gentlemen of that decision. They did not like it and threatened that if I did not take it upon myself to head the committee, the Army High Command may not give any food. I answered that there was not much I could do about that and that it was their decision. I had to be careful not to harm the Church or incur the wrath of the people. From the priests that I had indicated to the two gentlemen, I later learned that no one had approached them about this committee. On April 25th Father Chomski came to me with various reproaches about my conduct. He apologized profusely for daring to speak openly and then told me the following: 1) the priests are very unhappy with me because I had appointed Father Kraujalis, a Lithuanian, to care for the spiritual needs of the wounded Legionnaires at the hospital and not a Polish priest. 2) lt seems that the priests have begun to turn away from me, alleging that I fail to consult them and do not give them proper directives. For example, they did not know how to announce the Lenten fast, nor whether they should celebrate the feast of St. Joseph. 3) Even the people are starting to turn away from me. I should not forget that the Lithuanians make up only one-sixth of the diocese, that the 256