XIX a. Vakaru Europos Socialinës Katalikybës Idëju Atgarsiai Motiejaus Valančiaus Socialinëje Sampratoje
Responses of the Ideas Social Catholicism of the mid- 19th c. in M.Valančius Social Concept

Summary/Abstract: This article deals the social concept by the famous Lithuanian catholic intelectual Bishop Motiejus Valanèius (1801-1875). Valancius, like the representatives of West European social Catholicism of the mid-19th c. (V. Ketteler), adopted an unmistakably protective stance towards the deprived and tried to propose ways for undoing the injustice. However, there were essential differences both in the types of people to be protected and in the ways of effecting it. In Western Europe the representatives of social Catholicism were mostly concerned with factory workers whom they considered socially deprived and looked for ways of improving their situation. Whereas Valancius sympathized with the whole Lithuanian nation exposed to the danger of denationalization. The representatives of social Catholicism of Western Europe in looking for ways of improving the workers’ situation appealled not only to good organization of workers themselves, to Christian morals of the employers, but also to the state authorities urging them to act as arbiters in regulating the relations between the employers and employees by legal means. Meanwhile Valancius did not trust the authorities since the officials of the tsarist regime were pursuing a colonial policy in the in the country and therefore were hostile to the Lithuanian nation. Valancius proposed to use non-force, i.e. moral means of resistance. Valancius indicated three ways of national self-protection: defense of the Catholic Church itself and of its rights, reinforcement of the Lithuanian school, entrusted with the upbringing of the young generation in the spirit of Christian values, and support for the Catholic press. This encouraged Valancius not to confine himself to the pastoral activities alone, but also to involve in the most urgent matters for Lithuania and its people: to repair the crumpling churches, to defend and support the persecuted priests, Beto encourage them for self-education, to found parish schools, temperance societies, to organize the publication of Lithuanian literature and, finally, to try his hand at literature. This social service of the bishop by words and deeds to all the nation and not to some sections of the population, his readiness to defend justice, honesty, to reduce social hostility in the nation, to strengthen the spirit power set an effective example for the patriotic part of the Lithuanian Catholic clergy of the national revival period.

• Details
• Contents