The distribution of peasant populist groups and their relations with the Church in the period between the end of 1918 and april 1920

Straipsnyje analizuojama valstiečių liaudininkų partinių organizacijų – vadinamųjų kuopų – sklaida ir santykiai su Bažnyčia nuo 1918 m. rudens iki Steigiamojo Seimo rinkimų. Pateikiama trumpa liaudininkų partijų (at)kūrimo Vilniuje bei Kaune 1918–1919 m. sandūroje apžvalga, apibūdinamas valstiečių liaudininkų požiūris į Bažnyčios ir valstybės santykius, aptariama valstiečių liaudininkų kuopų plėtra to meto Lietuvos regionuose. Pagrindinis dėmesys skiriamas valstiečių liaudininkų ir parapijų kunigų santykių raiškaiThe aim of the article is to analyse the distribution of the Union of Lithuanian Peasants (Lietuvos valstiečių sąjunga; LVS) groups in Lithuanian regions and the manifestation of the relations between members of these groups and the clergy. To reach the aim, the following objectives have been set: first, to describe Populist parties and their approach to Church-state relations; second, to present the network of the LVS in Lithuania; and third, to analyse the relations of the members of LVS groups, as well as their supporters with parish priests and the Church. The object of the research is the distribution and activity of LVS organisations in Lithuanian regions covering the period from the end of 1918 to April 1920. The distribution of the network of LVS organisations in Lithuanian regions and their relations with the Church and parish priests have not been investigated yet. The scope of participation in Peasant Populist activities by citizens of counties and districts and the aims of such activity reveal the characteristics of the relations between parish residents and members of the clergy. Therefore, this analysis is evidently novel and prospective. The research is based on sources; most information is provided by the newspaper of Peasant Populists, i.e. “Lietuvos ūkininkas”. The analysis has revealed that with their ideology and practical activity, LVS clearly sought to separate the state from the Church. In the view of Populists, religion and Catholic Church had to shift from the public to the private life of an individual. Such goals did not frighten quite a large part of citizens. On the contrary, clustering of LVS in the regions took place at the initiative of active citizens of districts and counties. Owing to their effort, 267 LVS groups were established in the period between the end of 1918 and April 1920, which united over 10,000 members. [...]Politologijos katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta