Lituanorum gente: Archbishop Jurgis Matulaitis – Conciliator of the Church and the State
Lituanorum gente: Archbishop Jurgis Matulaitis – Conciliator of the Church and the State

Summary/Abstract: The First World War, the subsequent international political events, changed the boundaries of the Lithuanian territory and changed the ecclesiastical administrative situation. Such a situation did not satisfy neither the Lithuanian state nor the Catholic Church itself. To solve such a situation, Pope Pius XI sent, by the title and authority Apostolic Visitor, Archbishop George Matulaitis. He became the principal creator of the 1926 Apostolic Constitution Lituanorum gente, the conciliator of opinions between the position of the Church and the State. Because of the archbishop‘s personal qualities, a good understanding of the situation and the ability to reconcile the interests of the Church and the State, also because of his advantages in diplomatic activity, the new Church Province project was drafted quite smoothly. The history of this project has remained a good example of relations between the State and the Church, and Jurgis Matulaitis himself can be considered an example of diplomatic activity.

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