Transformation of the Lithuanian St. Casimir’s parish in London from 1990 to 2010

Abstract

The essential part of this article is a reconstruction of the conflict that occurred from 2003 to 2005 in London between the Lithuanian rector and the parish council. It illustrates the practices of controlling the laity that Roman Catholic priests and hierarchs were used to. It is a case study in which a Lithuanian matter is used to illustrate global processes. In the 1990s the Lithuanian Catholic community in London found itself in crisis. Its major components were the inability of the Marian Fathers to find a suitable replacement for Father Jonas Sakevičius, his failure to attract the newest Lithuanian immigrants to participation in religious life, and the self-isolation of the parish council in just the old-timers’ portion of the community. Father Petras Tverijonas, who in 1999 by chance became the new Lithuanian parish rector, immediately connected with the new immigrants and began a new program of activities drawing them into church life. For several years he adhered to the centuries-old traditional agreement between church rector and parish lay council whereby the rector’s new initiatives needed the approval of the lay leadership. Seeking to gain greater influence with them, he managed to refresh the council’s make-up by having younger new immigrants admitted as members. Differences in age and mentality led to distrust and conflict. Tensions erupted in 2003, when the parish council’s old-timers protested against having the church hold concerts and performances for children. The elderly part of the council also rejected a plan for renewing the church’s interior, calling it an attack on the symbiosis of nationality and religion. These were the two main elements of a conflict that lasted for several years. During it, actions on both sides became more radical and support in the higher church hierarchy was sought. [...]