Role of Adolf Petro Shelonzhek’s activities in the formation of the roman catholic church in Volhynia in the interwar period

Abstract

This article analyzes importance of the Roman Catholic Church in Volhynia in the interwar period. The article reveals the process of formation of the Roman Catholic Church in Volhynia, and special attention is paid to the interwar period.Roman Catholic centres were in Volhynia from ancient times, and have become an integral part of its history. As the city was inhabited by many different nationalities and, consequently, many different religious denominations, the city managed to maintain peace and respect for religious freedom for each of the communities. However, during the reign of the Russian Empire in Volhynia, the situation became more complicated because the tsarist government did not want to support previous agreements with the Church.After the October coup and the war, vast territories of the Lutsk-Zhytomyr diocese were divided between Poland and Soviet Russia by a treaty signed in 1921 in Riga. As Lutsk was a part of the then Poland, in 1925 Pope Pius XI revived a separate diocese of Lutsk.On December 14, 1925, Bishop Adolf Petro Shelonzhek was appointed Bishop of Lutsk. In particular, the figure of Adolf Petro Shelonzhek deserves special attention. The article also analyzes the life of the future bishop. From the beginning of his ministry, the Lutsk Ordinary carried out active pastoral and organizational activities. One of the greatest achievements of Adolf Petro Shelonzhek was the convening of the first diocesan synod in 200 years, which took place in 1927.Particular importance is the description of his active work as a religious and political figure. Special attention is paid to his active pastoral work as Adolf Petro Shelonzhek was an outstanding figure in the life of the Lutsk diocese.