Działalność duszpasterska biskupa Wincentego Chościak Popiela w diecezji płockiej (1863-1868)

Abstract

The five years of bishop W. Popiel’s administration in the Płock diocese, as it was later found out, were a preparation for the future reforms in the Płock Church pastoral work, especially in cathechizing, which was a continuation of the line taken by him earlier, when for a year he had held the office of the Rector in the Clerical Academy. It was also an introduction to the reforms undertaken later by the rector, father Henryk Kossowski. The difficult period – characterized by intensive Russianization – in which Popiel had to act, did not favour a development of pastorate, but still, it can be stated, that the bishop carried it off well as a priest. From the first moment of his rule in the Płock diocese he seriously took up a renewal of the religious life. Since all the parishes required the bishop’s visits, the whole visiting activity can be called one great visitation. These visitations to a large degree contributed to animating the religious life. About 100 000 persons received the confirmation. The priests seeing the bishop work, encouraged by his example, incited by his circulars and epistles, took greater care of catechizing before the first Holy Communion and of the parish school. The Płock bishop knew very well what good services mean to people. Hence His care of the parish service and introduction of the May services. He himself used to visit the parish church patron’s festivals in order to stress the importance of this celebration for the life of the parish.