News

The Venerable Archbishop Jurgis Matulaitis, whose personal motto was “Overcome evil with good”, treated historical and political wounds of Lithuanians, Poles and Jews, protected interests of Belarusians and Jews. Therefore, the values that he promoted and his aspirations are today more relevant than ever before, and remains an example of a good personality, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis said.

On April 27 at the Foreign Ministry, he took part in the event “The Venerable Jurgis Matulaitis – Ambassador for Peace”, which was dedicated to scholarly and diplomatic activities of J.Matulaitis.

“In all that he did Matulaitis lived up to his motto “Overcome evil with good” and was always committed to aim at and seek harmony, peace among nations and people of different  religions, and social equality. Works of the Archbishop of Vilnius J.Matulaitis healed historical and political wounds of Lithuanians and Poles and Jews, protected interests of Belarusians and Jews. At that time he made peace and united people in the Vilnius region,” Ažubalis said.

According to him, today’s political situation in Lithuania is different than when Matulaitis was Archbishop from 1918 to 1925. However, the values that he promoted and his aspirations are today more relevant than ever before, and remains an example of a good personality.

The Minister stressed the significance of the diplomatic activity of Matulaitis and his active efforts to promote peaceful cohabitation of the nations.

“We can honestly say that Matulaitis was one of the most prominent diplomats at that time, who worked actively in an international context. In 1926, Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued him a diplomatic passport and he was appointed as Apostolic Visitor to Lithuania by Pope Pius XI. He acted as an ambassador for peace – contributed to the enhancement of Lithuania’s relations with the Holy See, the creation of Lithuanian ecclesiastical province and the arrangement of the Concordat,” Ažubalis said.

Church historian and Lithuania’s future Ambassador to the Holy See Irena Vaišvilaitė and Genovaitė Gustaitė, the researcher of the activity and life of Matulaitis, also shared their thoughts about the achievements of Matulaitis at the event. 

2012 marks the 25th anniversary of the beatification of Matulaitis.