Represje władz komunistycznych wobec zgromadzenia księży salezjanów w Różanymstoku w latach 1945-1958

Abstract

From 1919 on the parish in Różanystok was taken over by Salesians. In the inter-war period, despite their pastoral duties, they were occupied with education and formation among the youth, something that was in harmony with the charisma of this congregation. They continued this activity also after the Second World War. After the Episcopal see was transmitted from Vilnius to Białystok, Vilnius Archbishop Romuald Jalbrzykowski established a Lower Theological Seminary in Różanystok in 1949. Salesians were entrusted with the intellectual and spiritual formation of future candidates for the priesthood. Now the state authorities resorted to any form of pressure, sought to limit, or eventually liquidate this institution. In 1950 the state took over the so-called “goods of the dead hand” in Różanystok, i.e. practically the whole parochial benefice together with the livestock and buildings. This had considerably made it difficult for the school to function. On 30,h June 1954 the Lower Seminary was ultimately liquidated. The buildings were given to the newly organised Complex of Agricultural Schools. Any interventions on the part of the parish priest, director. Episcopal Curia in Białystok, lasting for several successive years, had brought no results. Salesians began to regain their estate seized by the communist authorities as late as after the social transformations that took place in Poland in 1989.