Pirmojo Vilkaviškio vyskupo Antano Karoso asmenybės bruožai

LTLietuvos istorijoje dažnai įtakingomis asmenybėmis tapdavo dvasininkai. Vyskupai ir kunigai, kaip ir inteligentai pasauliečiai, dalyvavo kultūriniame ir politiniame krašto gyvenime. Vyskupas Antanas Karosas Seinuose ir Vilkaviškyje dažnai būdavo laikomas išmintingu, bet neveikliu žmogumi. Tačiau ši asmenybė turėjo daug įtakos lietuvių kunigų studijoms užsienyje, siekė įsteigti Lietuvos Bažnytinę provinciją, pasirašyti tarp Lietuvos Respublikos bei Šventojo Sosto Konkordatą, vyskupiją administravo iki senatvės. Taigi reikia kalbėti apie A.Karosą kaip labai daug Lietuvos Katalikų Bažnyčiai ir pačiam kraštui davusį žmogų. Pagrindiniai žodžiai: Vyskupas Karosas, Seinai, Vilkaviškis, asmenybė. [Iš leidinio]

ENBishop Antanas Karosas was born in Anykščiai district, in the village of Vėjeliškiai on February 2, 1856. Taught in Šiauliai gymnasium, in 1875 he entered Samogitian priest seminary and in 1875 he was sent to Petrapilis Spiritual Academy where he gained a master’s degree in theology in 1883. Becoming a priest he was appointed a professor af moral theology and the Lithuanian language in Samogitian priest seminary and in 1885 he got the position of Bishop Paliulionis secretory. On November 8, 1906 he was appointed and in 1907, June 16 consecrated the assistant ofZitomirs Bishop. On April 7, 1910 he became Bishop of Seinai. Bishop Karosas want to equal the rights of the Lithuanians and the Polish sometimes showed him being a bishop of Polish orientation. He did not persecuted the Lithuanians’ cultural activity but interceded them when they were hurt by the Polish too much. After Bish. Karosas had been turned out by force by the Polish from Seinai in 1920, later from Punskas, he settled in Marijampolė. While living there he governed the part of Seinai diocese, which had remained in the teritory of independent Lithuania. In 1926, when the Lithuania’s Church province was founded a part of Seinai diocese became new Vilkaviškis diocese. Bishop Karosas became the first bishop of it. He built a magnificent priest seminary, took care of its activity. Although Bishop M.Reinys was his assistant, he himself tried to hold the diocese under his control. When the Russians occupied Lithuania he painfully went through the persecution of the Church. During the German government he did not get back his full rights. When in August 1944 the front drew nearer, Bishop Karosas did not retreat and remained in the front territory for some weeks. When Vilkaviškis was bombed Bishop Karosas with Priest Vizgirda went a Šunskai. Later he settled in Marijampolė, where he died on July 7, 1947.Was burried in Marijampolė church. Although he seemed to be week, he was of perfect health, brilliant, well-read, circumspect and kind in relations with other people. He played a significant role in establishing the Lithuanian Church province. Bishop Antanas Karosas was not a mediocrity, but an outstanding public figute of the Lithuania Catholic Church and greatly influenced religious and cultural status of the country. Key words: Bishop Karosas, Seinai, Vilkaviškis, personality. [From the publication]