MUKACHEVO CATHEDRAL CAPITULA (1919 – 1938): ADMINISTRATIVE, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS

Abstract

The Capitula was an auxiliary body in the Episcopal administration, and consists of 7 canonries. In the Czechoslovak state during the interwar period, a number of canonries were fixed. Canonries received titles and held diocesan positions, performed a large amount of work in the administration of the Mukachevo Diocese. At the same time, secular authorities, both in the days of the Austro-Hungarian authorities and in the times of the Czechoslovak Republic, were directly involved in the approval of canonries proposed by bishop. In Czechoslovakia, the government probed mainly the political loyalty of the aspirants to this high post. It is probable that the authorities didn't have a particular influence on the activities of the canonries, but the fact of its approval confirms the attempt to control church affairs, as in the time of the Habsburg monarchy. But in the same time, it isn't known of any case in the documents when the authorities rejected the proposed candidates. The Kapitula is a collegial clergy body that helps the bishop manage the diocese. Traditionally, churches of the Eastern rite didn’t have Capitulas; instead, there were cathedrals. However, as a result of the Tereso-Josephine reforms on the equalization of all denominations, at the initiative of the Roman throne in 1776, in the days of Bishop Andrei Bachynsky, capitula was created under the Mukachevo Greek Catholic Diocese. Since that time, there have been 7 canonries. The Austrian emperor had the right to appoint canonries for life. In Czechoslovakia, the canonries were approved by the government, but the bishop made a submission in advance. According to tradition, each canon occupied a position in the diocesan administration: Vicar General, Auditor General, Cathedral Archdeacon, Vicar of Kosice, Rector of the Theological Seminary, dean of the Cathedral and Inspector of Church Schools.