George Matulaitis Journal

not succeeded so far. An investigation was conducted, and everything found in order. As for promoting Polish interests, the institution was even more diligent in this regard than many others. And so, Father Zienkiewicz is still there. The “endeks” are angry with me, but what am I to do? I cannot disregard justice. Father Zienkiewicz is calling a plenary meeting of the association to take care of various matters and settle this dispute or, if that is impossible, to elect a new executive committee. In any case, it is not those who are trying to take over that actually support and maintain the institution, but rather the government and various charitable organizations. April 1 Monsignor Bajko came to warn me that things are in a sorry state. Apparently, the old man was upset about the sermon that Father Stankevich had preached in Belorussian. That was the first thing he began to complain about. I calmed him down and told him: “I have not made any changes until now, since I am waiting for more peaceful and stable times. If sermons are being preached in Belorussian in certain places, it is because His Excellency Archbishop Ropp allowed it. His Excellency Bishop +ozi<sk i also introduced the Belorussian language into the churches in Mi<sk . As for Father Stankevich, he spoke Belorussian in public without permission.” For my part, I told him that, while certainly this is not the right time to introduce the Belorussian language into the churches—it would be unwise to do so under the present circumstances, in the future, however, such a step is inevitable. All nations are demanding their rights, and the Belorussians will do so also. No one can stop the rebirth of the Belorussian nation. The Monsignor then went on to attack Father Zajan kauskas, the rector of the Bonifratres Church and also Fathers To = oczko, Stankevich, and others. He also complained that when preaching, the priests often conclude their sermons only by calling for love of country. They do not direct their sermons toward matters of faith. In general, he berated the clergy, especially those priests who were in parishes just outside the city. 324