Lithuanians, suitcase and the Gospel

National language and Catholic faith: two characterising features – neither exclusive nor universal – of Lithuanian migrants, as Lithuanians are “experts” in migrations. In fact, from the Baltic Country, which throughout history became the target of its “larger” neighbours: since the 18th century, farmers and craftsmen, youths and mothers, clerks and students, packed their suitcases to seek fortune elsewhere. Thus citizens with Lithuanian passport met worldwide. In the past 25 years only, after the fall of the Soviet Union and the recovery of independence in Vilnius an estimated number of 6-700 thousand people, on a total population of 3.5 million, have left the country, and that only one hundred thousand returned. “But the Italian Church doesn’t abandon her people”, pointed out Msgr. Edmond Joseph Putrimas, director of the pastoral care of migrants. “We try to be near them, abroad, with the priests at the service of our communities”. Charity and the Gospel, are the two key-words that Putrimas repeats. So that those who leave the Country may not be left alone. London, the first destination. In fact, it is a real discovery to follow the commitment of Lithuanian priests throughout Europe. Among them we find old people, still bound to their national traditions and religion, but also second and third generations, who find it easier preserve the language than the faith. “Secularization arrives all over”, is the most popular explanation. Father Petras Tverijonas lives in east London. Here the migration wave from Lithuania dates back to the early ‘900, to escape the Tsarist regime,” he explained. “Another significant migration occurred after World War II”. Since then there are three major Lithuanian communities in the UK, counting a total of about 200 thousand people. “Four hundred attend our three Sunday Masses. Here in London we have centered preparation for baptisms and weddings for the three communities on the island. Last year we prepared for baptism the parents of 250 children, while the prenuptial course was taken by 230 couples”. Who knows how many wedding banquets? But Fr Tverijonas spoke of a different reality, typical of migration communities. Couples prefer to return home to get married, to celebrate with their relatives. This makes it hard to integrate within English society. “In fact, Lithuanians tend to be reserved and a bit shy”. Among Norwegian fiords. In Norway is active Fr Oskaras Volskis, “part-time chaplain for Lithuanians”, who dedicates the remaining half of his energies to a local parish and to a group of Polish Catholics. The story is very simple and clear: a deep commitment for fellow compatriots, coupled by the fatigue of keeping one’s identity before a local church that tends to “assimilate”. “Cooperation with the bishop and with the vicar is excellent, less so with some parish priests who prefer to speak the local language” and not all parishioners appreciates the use of different languages during the liturgy. “If Mass in not in Lithuanian our people do not attend”. This leads to identity problems. “This year we prepared 40 couples to marriage, but all marriages are celebrated in Lithuania, not in Norway”. Moreover, taking a plane to go back home costs just a few euros makes them happy”. Fr Valdemaras Lisovskis came to Norway three years ago. Pastoral activity, from the Bible to showing closeness to the people, cannot be done without social media, he explained, because “here the distances are measured in thousands of kilometers”. “Luckily, there’s Facebook,” said the young priest. In Oslo, an international albeit geographically peripheral city, there Polish, Vietnamese, Filipinos, nationals, migrants from the Middle East and Mediterranean countries. That’s why, in this peculiarly cosmopolitan context “we would like to preserve our language and the Mass is celebrated in Lithuanian. If we abandon our language we will lose the people”. Irish destination. The stories of the Lithuanian priests shed light on a common concern: “Assimilating in a north-European Country, often means accepting widespread atheism”. The Irish situation is slightly different: Fr Egidijus Arnasius arrived in Dublin after having served as chaplains of Lithuanians in Australia. “I received a very warm welcome by the Irish and by the local Bishops’ Conference -he said -, with whom there is fruitful cooperation”. He then shared a previously unknown episode: “Lithuanians arriving in Ireland had gone through the alienating communist experience. That’s why they are rather cautious, prudent. Perhaps they are afraid of confronting the local community”. Many “would go to church to pray and light candles, but not to Mass”. The work that is being done is to enter into a deeper relationship with the local community. But, as always happens in situations of emigration, “a lot of work lies ahead”.