Vilniaus vyskupo E. Ropo veiklos pėdsakais (1903-1907)

LTŠiame straipsnyje, remdamiesi Lietuvos ir Rusijos archyvuose saugoma medžiaga, XX a. pirmosios pusės periodika bei memuarais, pabandysime atskleisti kai kurias vyskupo Ropo biografijos detales, paskyrimo į Vilniaus vyskupo pareigas aplinkybes, jo požiūrį į įvairias etnines grupes, santykius su caro administracija. Ypatingą dėmesį skirsime E. Ropo politinės veiklos aspektams [p. 144].

ENThe beginning of 20c. saw the Byelorussian and particularly the Lithuanian national movement start pursuing social goals alongside with national ones; ethnic Poles of Lithuanian and Byelorussian then appeared under the threat of isolation. On the eve and the course of the revolution of 1905 the Bishop of Vilnius E. Ropp established Lithuanian and Byelorussian Constitutional Catholic Party whose objective was the unification of former of the GDL citizens on confessional basis. The party sought transformations in the structures of the state. Unfortunatelly, the activities of the party were brought to an end by inner discord and the pressure exerted by the Government. Still E. Ropp made continual efforts for unification of Lithuanian and Byelorussian citizens under the flag of Christianity. (He did so during the period of the elections to the first Russian Parliament (Duma) and also while being its member.) Ropp's tolerant view on different ethnic groups distinguished him among the highest Catholic ranks of the Vilnius Diocese. Still, the plans of the Bishop were damaged by the resistance of Polish and Lithuanian nationalists. The study also mentions the conditions and the exact procedure of E. Ropp's dismissal from his office.