George Matulaitis Journal

in love and harmony. But, sir, you cannot demand that I attach the Church to any particular political party nor condemn the Belorussian and Lithuanian priests while you praise and honor the Polish clergy for the same thing. Do not expect me to forbid Belorussians and Lithuanians from doing what I allow Poles to do. Let us make a few distinctions. If the priests violate your laws and directives in political matters, then you, sir, can look into it and investigate their activities. You certainly have the means to do so. And if proof is given that a priest has transgressed Canon Law, then, without doubt, I shall punish him.” From all that happened, it was clear that the General had been roused to action by Archbishop Hryniewiecki. I left with His Excellency Bishop Bandurski. He admitted that I was right. He also complained about the activities of the “endeks”—how their actions are obstructing the implementation of the wise political policy of Marshal Pi = sudski and are detrimental to Polish interests. March 1 Father Steckiewicz, the vice chancellor, 1 sent me a message. He asked me to permit him to resign from his position. Ostensibly, it was because my recent appointments of several priests clearly showed that I favored Lithuanians and Belorussians and that I was engaged in party politics. He had consulted with his confessor and decided to resign because he wanted no part in any work that is detrimental to his country, Poland, and to our holy Church. In his letter he did not mention any facts. Thank God that he has resigned. He did not do very much work in any case. Fearing the Bolsheviks, he once left Vilnius and had gone beyond Gardinas into Poland, where he stayed for several months. In 299 1 Canon Julian Steckiewicz had been working in the chancery in this capacity ever since Bishop Matulaitis took over the diocese in December of 1918. Bishop Matulaitis was not able to appoint a proper chancellor until 1920.