Negotiating Conflict in an Ethno-Religious Community: The Leadership of Rev. Aleksander Fijałkowski

Abstract

Abstract Immigrants to the United States between 1880 and 1920 who were ethnically Polish were overwhelmingly Roman Catholic in their religious beliefs. Early Polish American communities almost always developed around a church, and the clergy became early community leaders. Because of this focus on religion, and the history of their homeland being partitioned by other nations, Poles were particularly sensitive to attempts by the Roman Catholic hierarchy to “denationalize” them. This is usually portrayed through the dichotomy of clergy who remained loyal to the Roman Catholic hierarchy and those who led opposition movements, which sometimes ended in schism. However, there were also many local parish clergy who attempted to steer a course between these opposites, remaining loyal to the church while at the same time attempting to minimize differences and disputes within their parishes. One example of a priest who successfully negotiated this delicate balancing act was Rev. Aleksander Fijałkowski. This article examines how his management skills led to a long and productive pastorate.