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October 2, 2002
Mr. Speaker, on August 18, 2002, Pope John Paul II beatified the founder of
Russian Catholicism Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski (1822-1895). Bl. Zygmunt
Felinski was Archbishop of Warsaw and Founder of the Franciscan Sisters of
the Family of Mary. He was born on November 1, 1822 in Wojutyn in Volinia in
present-day Ukraine.
As Co-Chairman of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, I call the attention
of the House to the life of Archbishop Felinski - a man whose example of
courage, perseverance and faith provides heroic encouragement to all of us
who desire freedom and liberty.
Mr. Speaker, according to the Vatican, Felinski, Archbishop of Warsaw for 16
months, spent 20 years in exile in Siberia, spent 12 years in semi-exile as
Archbishop of Tarsus and parish priest in the country. He died in Kraków,
which then belonged to Austria, on 17 September 1895. Indeed, he spent 58 of
his 73 years in territory that belonged to the Russian Empire.
A Vatican biography describes him as follows: He is venerated as Shepherd in
exile, an apostle of national harmony and unity in the spirit of the Gospel,
a model of priestly dedication. As Archbishop of Warsaw and founder of a
religious congregation, he exercised his duties and role as "Good Shepherd"
with great strength, love and courage, always keeping careful watch over
himself. "I am convinced that by keeping my heart uncontaminated, living in
faith and in fraternal love towards my neighbor, I will not go off the path.
These are my only treasures and are without price," he wrote.
The third of six children, of whom two died at an early age, he was brought
up with faith and trust in Divine Providence, love for the Church and Polish
culture. When Zygmunt was 11 years old his father died. Five years later, in
1838, his mother was arrested by the Russians and sent into exile in Siberia
for her involvement in patriotic activity. Her patriotic activity was
working for the improvement of the social and economic conditions of the
farmers.
Zygmunt was well educated. After completing high school, he studied
mathematics at the University of Moscow from 1840-1844. In 1847 he went to
Paris, where he studied French Literature at the Sorbonne and the Collège de
France. He knew all the important figures of the Polish emigration. He was a
friend of the nationalist poet Juliusz Slowacki who died after the revolt of
Poznan. In 1848, he took part in the revolt of Poznan which failed. From
1848-50 he was tutor to the sons of Eliza and Zenon Brzozowski in Munich and
Paris. In 1851 he returned to Poland and entered the diocesan seminary of
Zytomierz. He studied at the Catholic Academy of St. Petersburg. On 8
September 1855 Archbishop Ignacy Holowinski, Archbishop of Mohilev ordained
him. He was assigned to the Dominican Fathers' Parish of St. Catherine of
Siena in St. Petersburg until 1857, when the bishop appointed him spiritual
director of the Ecclesiastical Academy and professor of philosophy. In 1856
he founded the charitable organization "Recovery for the Poor" and in 1857
he founded the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary.
On 6 January 1862, Pope Pius IX appointed Zygmunt Felinski Archbishop of
Warsaw. On 26 January 1862 Archbishop Zylínski consecrated him in St
Petersburg. On 31 January he left for Warsaw where he arrived on 9 February
1862. The Russians brutally suppressed the Polish uprising against Russia in
Warsaw in 1861 creating a state of siege. In response to the harsh measures
of the Russians, the ecclesial authorities closed all the churches for four
months. On 13 February 1862, the new Archbishop reconsecrated the cathedral
of Warsaw; the Russian Army had profaned it on 15 October 1861. On 16
February he opened all of the churches in the city with the solemn
celebration of the Forty Hours Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Zygmunt Felinski was Archbishop of Warsaw for 16 months, from 9 February
1862 to 14 June 1863. Times were difficult since there were daily clashes
between the occupying Russian power and the Nationalist Party.
Unfortunately, he was met by an atmosphere of distrust on the part of some
citizens and even clergy, since the Russian government deceived them into
thinking that he was secretly collaborating with the government. The
Archbishop always made it clear that he was only at the service of the
Church. He also worked for the systematic elimination of governmental
interference in the internal affairs of the Church. He reformed the diocese
by making regular visits to the parishes and to the charitable organizations
within the diocese so that he could better understand and meet their needs.
He reformed the programs of study at the Ecclesiastical Academy of Warsaw
and in the diocesan seminaries, giving new impetus to the spiritual and
intellectual development of the clergy. He made every effort to free the
imprisoned priests. He encouraged them to proclaim the Gospel openly, to
catechize their parishioners, to begin parochial schools and to take care
that they raise a new generation that would be sober, devout and honest. He
looked after the poor and orphans, starting an orphanage in Warsaw, which he
entrusted to the Sisters of the Family of Mary.
In political action he tried to prevent the nation from rushing headlong
into a rash and inconsiderate position. As a sign of his own protest against
the bloody repression by the Russians of the "January Revolt" of 1863,
Archbishop Felinski resigned from the Council of State and on 15 March 1863
wrote a letter to the Emperor Alexander II, urging him to put an end to the
violence. He likewise protested against the hanging of the Capuchin Fr.
Agrypin Konarski, chaplain of the "rebels". His courage and interventions
quickly brought about his exile by Alexander II.
In fact, on 14 June 1863, he was deported from Warsaw to Jaroslavl, in
Siberia, where he spent the next 20 years deprived by the Czar of any
contact with Warsaw. He found a way to organize works of mercy to help his
fellow prisoners and especially the priests. Despite the restrictions of the
Russian police, he managed to collect funds to build a Catholic Church,
which later became a parish. The people were struck by his spiritual
attitude and eventually began calling him the "holy Polish bishop".
In 1883, following negotiations between the Holy See and Russia, Archbishop
Felinski was freed and on 15 March 1883, Pope Leo XIII transferred him from
the See of Warsaw to the titular See of Tarsus. For the last 12 years of his
life he lived in semi-exile, in southeastern Galizia at Dzwiniaczka, among
the crop farmers of Polish and Ukrainian background. As chaplain of the
public chapel of the manor house of the Counts Keszycki and Koziebrodzki, he
launched an intense pastoral activity. Out of his own pocket, he set up in
the village the first school and a kindergarten. He built a church and
convent for the Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary.
In his leisure, he prepared for publication the works he had written during
his exile in Jaroslavl. Here are some of them: Spiritual Conferences, Faith
and Atheism in the search for happiness, Conferences on Vocation, Under the
Guidance of Providence, Social Commitments in view of Christian Wisdom and
Atheism; Memories (three editions).
He died in Kraków on 17 September 1895 and was buried in Kraków on 20
September. Later he was buried at Dzwiniacza (10 October 1895). In 1920 his
remains were translated to Warsaw where, on 14 April 1921, they were
solemnly interred in the crypt of the Cathedral of St John where they are
now venerated.
Mr. Speaker, the beatification of Zygmunt Felinski is significant for us to
consider during the difficult period in which we find ourselves today.
Clearly, America's desire to secure freedom and liberty for our neighbors
and ourselves must coincide with a sincere commitment to provide aid,
comfort and charity to the poor and oppressed of the world.
Upon the Holy Mass and Beatification, Pope John Paul II suggested to the
world the suitability of Zygmunt Felinski as an inspiration to persevere in
service to the poor. He stressed the importance of establishing educational
institutions, orphanages and political activism for the cause of freedom.
The pope said, "inspired by this spirit of social charity, Archbishop
Felinski gave himself fully in defending the freedom of the nation. This is
necessary today also, when different forces - often under the guidance of a
false ideology of freedom - try to take over this land. When the noisy
propaganda of liberalism, of freedom without truth or responsibility, grows
stronger in our country too, the Shepherds of the Church cannot fail to
proclaim the one fail-proof philosophy of freedom, which is the truth of the
Cross of Christ. This philosophy of freedom finds full motivation in the
history of our nation."
Mr. Speaker, I know the hearts of America's Polish, Ukrainian and Russian
immigrants swelled with pride upon the beatification of Archbishop Felinski.
Likewise, the faithful of Poland, Ukraine, and Russia, through his ministry,
have been truly blessed. His remarkable life brought the Gospel to the most
inhospitable reaches of Eastern Europe and he delivered the word of
salvation to thousands whose lives were inspired by his exemplary devotion.
Indeed, we are all inspired today.
As the son of a Ukrainian immigrant, I am honored to deliver these remarks
today as a Member of the U.S. Congress that we may all find encouragement
and reassurance in the unyielding love of the Almighty as is intended by the
beatification of Archbishop Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski.
Thank you, Mr.
Speaker.
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