George Matulaitis Journal

stand—that is, in Belorussian. I have not heard that preaching in Belorussian has resulted in any harm to Catholicism. On the contrary, in those areas many Belorussians who attend the Orthodox churches are converting to Catholicism. However, while such a confused political situation continues, it is not the time to make any final decision on these questions.” “As for the Belorussian schools,” I said, “I give them neither permission, nor funding. The secular authorities are responsible for that. I have heard that Father Petrovski is establishing a Belorussian teachers’ college after consulting with former government officials—with Mr. Witold Abramowicz and Mr. Ivanovski, a Belorussian. Apparently, the school was not in conflict with the political interests of that government. But I do not understand why I am being involved in all of this.” The General said that the people are complaining about Father Petrovski’s activities and that they themselves do not want the Belorussian language…“If Father Petrovski had violated Canon Law,” I said, “kindly point it out to me or let the people bring it up. Then I will punish him. Until now I have not heard any complaints about him from Boruny. On the contrary, I have heard that the people there love and respect him a great deal. If I were to transfer him somewhere else, not only the parish, but the entire district would rise to his defense. And if the people do not like the Belorussian school, they will not allow their children to attend and that will be the end of it.” Then the General took pains to point out to me that the Poles cannot relinquish what they have built up over the centuries. Boruny is a seat of Polish culture. 1 “I will not interfere with that,” I replied. “That is not my problem. But tell me this: what do the common people of Boruny speak — is it not Belorussian? Then what is wrong with having a Belorussian priest there? It seems very appropriate to me. After all, he is working among his own people.” 295 1 The Polish Bazilians settled here in the 17th c. They had a monastery and church and conducted a school, spreading Polish culture in the area. The church was famous for a miraculous Madonna they had brought. In the 19th c. the Russian government closed the monastery and confiscated the church. In 1919, it was restored as a Catholic parish. At this time the area was settled mostly by Belorussian farmers.