On the issue of Vilnius bishop (1917–1918)

The article deals with a question of Lithuanian bishop in Vilnius diocese in 1917–1918. One of the candidates was canon K. Olšauskas who was supported by M. Ercberger, a representative of Germany’s Catholic centre. When Poland was declared an independent state, it started the policy of restoring the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The idea was supported by the administrator of Vilnius diocese prelate K. Michalkevičius. This aroused great dissatisfaction among Lithuanians, even demands to resign. In June 1918, the Germans dismissed Michalkevičius from the administrator’s position in Vilnius diocese thus trying to support Olšauskas. However, this step did not render expected results because Olšauskas’ nationalism was not acceptable to Poles who had strong positions and influence in Rome. After Germany’s defeat Olšauskas lost his political backing and, at the same time, the above mentioned position. Most of the inhabitants in Vilnius and its regions were of Polish descent, their native language was Polish, thus the Church could not be Lithuanised by force; time, patience and diplomacy were necessary for certain changes to take place. Thus only in October of 1918 J. Matulevičius-Matulaitis, a person who was acceptable both to Poles and Lithuanians, was appointed bishop of Vilnius