George Matulaitis Journal

accountability, would be more generous with their donations. Archbishop Hryniewiecki 1 was there as well. After the meeting, General Mokrzecki requested that Hryniewiecki and I remain behind to speak with him. He started to complain about how the priests were interfering in politics and carrying out their own policy and that it was necessary to curb their political activities. If I did not do so, he would be forced to take strict measures, which would be unfortunate. Since he was head of the governing body and consequently responsible for the tranquillity and eventual fate of this area, he could not tolerate the present situation. Archbishop Hryniewiecki agreed with him. I understood that they had the Lithuanian and Belorussian priests in mind, although actually these accusations could be aimed just as well at the Polish priests, the so called “endeks.” I answered that I also am strictly opposed to the involvement of the clergy in politics. I have even published a letter to the clergy reminding them of the directives given by our Holy Father Benedict XV to priests, 2 stating that in their sermons they should confine themselves to purely religious matters and avoid national and political issues. First of all, they ought to carry on the work of the Church and then take up educational and social action wherever possible. However, my guidelines did not accomplish much. The situation in the country is abnormal, and its fate is undecided as yet. Everyone imagines that his influence is of great importance and will determine the nation’s future. Consequently, all are involved in politics, overexcited, and rushing around in every direction. It is a disease peculiar to our times. What can one do about it? The clergy resists any kind of control. Perhaps it is better just to wait until they have gotten over it. At this point, the General and especially the Archbishop began to attack the Lithuanian and Belorussian clergy. I replied that they were not the only ones to blame. The Polish priests were also not without fault in this regard. I addressed the General, “You, sir, have been in church on various solemn occasions and have heard the sermons 290 1 Karol Hryniewiecki (1841-1929): was 80 years old and had returned to Vilnius after 43 years. He had been Bishop of Vilnius from 1883 to 1885. 2 In his encyclical Humani Generis, published June 15, 1917, Pope Benedict XV reminded priests of their obligation to preach not politics or esoteric philosophies, but the Word of God.