MARIANS IN 1670-1788 126 to the Marians, which they could not freely deepen. This is how Stefan Sydry, a researcher of Marian history, summed up the dependency: “The weakness of such a decision lay in the fact that the Marians lost their separate, sovereign character, which was one of the reasons for their lack of internal cohesion, which became so prominent after the death of the Founder and lasted until 1782.”214 After Fr. Papczyński’s death, the Marians divided into two factions. Some stayed faithful to the spirit and legacy of Father Founder and called Fr. Kozłowski a traitor who had sold the Marians to the Reformates; others leaned toward Joachim Kozłowski and the Reformates. In their books, Frs. Casimir Wyszyński and João Teixeira215 vehemently blamed Fr. Kozłowski for this state of affairs, and such blame is expressed far more harshly in the letters of John Niezabitowski and Candide Spourny.216 The point is that the Marians’ strong dependency on the Reformates occurred under some circumstances that are still unexplained. Many believed, and still believe, that it was legally accomplished by affiliatio, aggregatio, or incorporatio in 1691 and 1699. Yet this opinion is based on misinterpreting these words, often used interchangeably. Based on religious legislation, Julian Kałowski explained that the term aggregatio did not signify the dependency of an aggregated legal person on the aggregator.217 The aggregation did not give any jurisdiction over the aggregated institute, in this case, over the Marians.218 Aggregation only entailed granting privileges to the aggregated institutions. “An essential element inherent in the aggregation is the right to use the liturgical calendar and to share in the spiritual benefits and indulgences enjoyed 214 Stefan Sydry, Zgromadzenie Księży Marianów od założenia do odnowienia, Puszcza Mariańska 2004, p. 62. In 1782, under the initiative and leadership of Fr. General Raymond Nowicki, a General Chapter of the Marians took place without the participation of the Reformates. During this Chapter, significant reforms were implemented. 215 Wyszyński, Stróż, pp. 126, 143-144, 135, 162-164; Teixeira, Nos. 207, 209, 229-230. 216 Letters, passim. In many places, Fr. Kozłowski is accused of betrayal, of “selling out” the Marians to the Reformates. 217 J. Kałowski, Problem zależności, p. 73. 218 Franciszek Bogdan, Agregacja, In: Enc. Katol., t. I, col. 192-193: “In current canon law, aggregation refers to the joining of one church organization to another related organization so that it can participate in its privileges. [...] Through the act of aggregation, the main religious order does not acquire jurisdiction over the affiliated group.” Cf. V. Macca, Aggregazione, in: Dizionario degli istituti di perfezione, Roma 1974, I, col. 150-152.
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