View source for Mariavite Church

{{Short description|Independent Christian church}}
{{About|the larger Mariavite denomination|the alternative Mariavite denomination|Catholic Mariavite Church}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2008}}
{{Infobox religion
| name                = Old Catholic Mariavite Church
| image               = Emblemat_mariawicki_(wersja_uproszczona).png
| alt                 = Mariavite emblem composed of two angels and a monstrance
| caption             = Mariavite emblem
| abbreviation        = 
| main_classification = [[Independent Catholic]]
| orientation         = [[Old Catholicism]]
| scripture           = 
| theology            = Mariavitism 
| polity              = [[Episcopal polity|Episcopal]]
| governance          = 
| leader_title        = Prime bishop
| leader_name         = {{illm|Jarosław Maria Jan Opala|pl}}
| leader_title1       = 
| leader_name1        = 
| leader_title2       = 
| leader_name2        = 
| fellowships         = 
| associations        = {{nowrap|[[World Council of Churches]]<br>[[Conference of European Churches]]<br>[[Polish Ecumenical Council]]}}
| area                = [[Poland]] and [[France]]
| headquarters        = [[Płock]], [[Poland]]{{sfn|Poland|2013|p=44}}
| founder             = [[Maria Franciszka Kozłowska]]
| founded_date        = 1906
| founded_place       = [[Płock]], [[Poland]]
| separated_from      = {{nowrap|[[Roman Catholic church]]}}
| separations         = [[Catholic Mariavite Church]]
| hospitals           = 
| nursing_homes       = 
| aid                 = 
| congregations       = 44 parishes (2011){{sfn|Poland|2013|p=44}}
| members             = 23,436 in Poland (2011),{{sfn|Poland|2013|p=44}}
| ministers           = 4 bishops; 25 priests
| missionaries        = 
| temples             = 
| primary_schools     = 
| secondary_schools   = 
| tax_status          = 
| other_names         = Old Catholic Church of the Mariavites
| publications        = 
| website             = {{official URL}}
}}

The '''Old Catholic Mariavite Church''' refers to one of two independent [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Church body|churches]], both of which can be dated from 1906 but which became distinct after 1935 as a result of doctrinal differences, and are collectively known as ''Mariavites''. Mariavitism first emerged from the religious inspiration of Polish noblewoman and [[nun]] [[Feliksa Kozłowska]] (1862–1921) living in the [[Russian Partition]] of [[Poland]] in the late 19th-century. A young Catholic priest from a modest background, [[Jan Maria Michał Kowalski]] (1871–1942), became convinced by Kozłowska's revelations and adopted her vision as his own project by her side.  

The movement represented an ideology whose aim was to imitate the simplicity of the life of [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Mary]], in [[Latin]], ''{{lang|la|{{linktext|qui| Mariae| vitam| imitantur}}}}'', ("Let them imitate the Life of Mary"), thus ''vita Mariae'', the Life of Mary, gave the movement its name. The movement became the subject of two [[Papal bull]]s in 1906 which resulted in the mass [[Excommunication (Catholic Church)|excommunication]] from the [[Catholic Church]] of both clergy and [[Laity|lay]] adherents to the movement.

The leaders of the movement sought theological sanctuary with the [[Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands]] which, after negotiations welcomed them and in 1909 granted both recognition and [[Apostolic succession]] to what by default had become a new catholic church, the "Mariavite Church", with the power to confer [[holy orders]]. It therefore became a separate and independent [[religious denomination]] in Poland.{{sfn|Karski|2003|p=402}} It continued as a unitary church until 1935 when a faction led by bishop Filip Feldman challenged the church leader, Michał Kowalski, and successfully expelled him and his loyalists from the headquarters in the Polish city of [[Płock]], thereby creating two Mariavite churches.

==History==
===Polish Roman Catholic Church under Russian rule===
[[File:Mateczk Kozłowska.JPG|thumb|175px|[[Maria Franciszka Kozłowska]], founder of the Mariavite Church]]
From 1795 the territory of the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] had been [[Partitions of Poland|partitioned]] between the three neighbouring powers, the [[Austrian Empire]], the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] and the [[Russian Empire]]. Under the Russian Empire (that annexed former eastern territories) the [[Russian Orthodox Church]] became the [[established church]], but in the "confederated" [[Congress Kingdom of Poland]] the Polish Catholic [[religion]] continued to be the official Church.

After the 1863 [[January Uprising]], the tsarist authorities forbade the establishment of any new Polish organisations. Religious orders were often banned or exiled. Catholic clergy in the Russian Partition could not be locally educated, in contrast to the priests in the [[Austrian Partition|Austrian]] and [[Prussian Partition]]s. The only authorized Roman Catholic theological training in the Russian Empire was at the [[Saint Petersburg Roman Catholic Theological Academy]].

===Kozłowska's revelations ===
In 1893 Kozłowska had her first [[religious vision]]. In it she understood she was to found a new religious movement expressing "Mariavitism". Further visions continued until 1918. Their content was gathered in a volume entitled ''Dzieło Wielkiego Miłosierdzia'' (''The Work of Great Mercy''), published by the Marinate Press in 1922.

=== Excommunication ===
Observing the spread of "Mariavitism" across their ecclesiastical territory, Polish Catholic bishops were alarmed by the threat the movement posed to their apostolic authority and teachings and reported it to the [[Holy See|Vatican]] probably in the late 1890s. After the election of a new pope, a final papal decision on the fate of the movement was made in September 1904.{{sfn|Appolis|1965|p=53}} In April 1906, [[Pope Pius X]] promulgated the [[encyclical]] ''{{lang|la|[[Tribus circiter]]}}.''{{sfn|Appolis|1965|p=53}} In December 1906, the Catholic Church [[Excommunication in the Catholic Church|excommunicated]] Kozłowska, Kowalski and their followers.{{sfn|Appolis|1965|p=53}}

===Mariavite Church, 1906–1921===
From 1906 the newly independent denomination continued its development, in no small measure due to donations and support from the faithful. Kozlowska's own acquisition of 400 hectares of land in Płock, enabled not only the construction of a cathedral, completed "in-house" by two professionally qualified architects and engineers ({{illm|Maria Mateusz Szymanowski|pl}} and {{illm|Maria Bartłomiej Przysiecki|pl}}) who brought into the church considerable personal 'dowries' for the construction in Płock, of the [[Temple of Mercy and Charity|Sanctuary of Mercy and Charity]](1914) with adjoining monastic buildings,<ref>The designers of the project, Szymanowski and Przysiecki were rewarded, on completion in 1914, with ordination into the Mariavite priesthood.</ref> but the development of revenue raising enterprises, such as educational facilities, a printing press, bakery and animal breeding.

{{multiple image|align = right|perrow = 2|total_width=400
| image1 = Fasada2.jpg
| image2 = Chór2.jpg
| footer = [[Temple of Mercy and Charity]] (1914) in [[Płock]], [[Poland]], headquarters of the Old Catholic Mariavite Church. The complex in [[English Gothic architecture|English Gothic]] was designed by Feliks {{illm|Maria Mateusz Szymanowski|pl}} and {{illm|Maria Bartłomiej Przysiecki|pl}}, later priests of the church, with Michał Kowalski as client}}

=== Apostolic succession ===
Kowalski was consecrated in [[St. Gertrude's Cathedral]], [[Utrecht]], on 5 October 1909, by [[Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands]] (OKKN) Archbishop [[Gerardus Gul]] [[Old Catholic Archdiocese of Utrecht|of Utrecht]], assisted by two OKKN bishops, J.&nbsp;J.<!-- Jacobus Johannes --> van Thiel of Haarlem and N.&nbsp;B.&nbsp;P.<!-- Nicolaus Bartholomeus Petrus --> Spit of Deventer, one [[Catholic Diocese of the Old Catholics in Germany]] bishop, J.<!-- Josef --> Demmel of Bonn, and [[Arnold Harris Mathew]] of [[London]].{{sfnm |1a1=Appolis |1y=1965 |1pp=58–59 |2a1=Bain |2y=1985}}

In turn, Kowalski went on to consecrate: Fatôme (France), Feldman, Gołębiowski, Próchniewiski, Rostoworowski, Siedlecki, and his own wife, Maria Izabela Wiłucka-Kowalska.{{sfn|Bain|1985}}

====Kowalski reforms (1921–1935)====
[[File:Jan Kowalski-arcybiskup (1926-27).jpg|thumb|right|150px|Jan Michał Kowalski (1871-1942)]]
Following the death in 1921 of the foundress of the movement, Kozlowska, there was no effective inhibition on Kowalski's reforms and innovations which included:
* 1922–1924 - Marriage available for priests
* 1922: Communion under the two species
* 1929: the Ordination of women, introduced in the Catholic Mariavite Church (with possibility of marriage)
* 1929–1935: [[ordination of women]], abolished in Old Catholic Mariavite Church (one reason for the [[Schism in Christianity|schism]] in the church)
* 1930: [[Priesthood of all believers|Priesthood of the people of God]] similar to Protestant concept
* 1930: [[Eucharist in the Catholic Church|Eucharist]] for new-born baptized infants
* 1930: Removal of [[Ecclesiastical titles and styles|ecclesiastical titles]]
* 1930: Suppression of prerogatives of the clergy
* 1931–1933: Simplification of liturgical ceremonies
* 1931–1933: Simplification of the [[Lenten sacrifice]]
* ?: Reduction of the [[Eucharistic fast]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Old Church Catholic Mariavite |url=http://www.mariavite.org/chhistoirea.htm#cent |website=Mariavite.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121223001317/http://www.mariavite.org/chhistoirea.htm#cent |archive-date=23 December 2012 |access-date=19 November 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Kowalski's innovations disrupted and severed the connection with the Old Catholics in Europe.{{sfn|Brandreth|2007|p=60}} The church struggled to maintain its reputation and standing during the [[Second Polish Republic]] in newly independent and sovereign Poland. Mariavites were actively discriminated against to the extent of "Mariavite [[pogrom]]s". The leaders of the Mariavite Church were persecuted and sued in court. Kowalski himself appeared in 20 cases to answer charges. Among other allegations he was accused of [[blasphemy|blasphemies]].{{sfn|Łagosz|2013}}

==Church schism==
[[File:Biskup Klemens Maria Filip Feldman.png|right|150px|Bishop {{illm|Maria Filip Feldman|pl}} (1885-1971)]]

Throughout its early tribulations with the Rome authorities, the church was led by Kozłowska's lieutenant, the catholic priest, later excommunicated, Michał Kowalski until 1935. Kowalski had become a bishop and archbishop in the meanwhile, headquartered in the city of Płock, among other Mariavite diocesan bishops. His theological, doctrinal and ecclesiastical interpretations and innovations put pressure on the Mariavite episcopate. Among these were the introduction of married clergy, the subsequent birth of 'mystical children' separated from their parents for early rearing, the [[ordination of women]], the establishment of a "priesthood of the faithful" and not least, Kowalski's own sexually predatory and abusive behaviour towards young nuns. The sexual allegations became the subject of a court case and public scandal surrounding the church and its reputation. Kowalski's brother bishops decided to put a stop to Kowalski's term of office and a schism ensued. The church split in two, so that the "Kowalski parishes", in the minority, became the "[[Catholic Mariavite Church]]". Its headquarters was moved to the small estate of [[Felicjanow, Plock County|Felicjanów]], named in honour of the foundress. The dissident majority became known as the "Old Catholic Church of the Mariavites", which, after 1935, was led by bishop {{illm|Maria Filip Feldman|pl}} and remained based in the city of Płock. To this day, by reason of the number of worshippers and parishes, they are the larger of the two churches. After 1935, the leadership of the smaller church grouping, the Catholic Mariavite Church, remained loyal to bishop Kowalski, and after his death in a [[Nazi concentration camps|Nazi concentration camp]] to his widow, bishop [[Maria Izabela Wiłucka-Kowalska]].{{sfn|Karski|2003|p=402}}

The Old Catholic Mariavite Church remains a member of the [[Polish Ecumenical Council]], and also of the [[World Council of Churches]]. It is not currently a member of the [[Old Catholic]] [[Union of Utrecht (Old Catholic)|Union of Utrecht]]. Since 2023, {{illm|Maria Jan Opala|pl}} is the [[primate bishop]] of the Old Catholic Mariavite Church. By contrast, the Catholic Mariavite Church currently stands away from the ecumenical movement.

=== Polish name changes ===
The original name of the church was in English translation, the "Old Catholic Mariavite Church" ({{langx|pl|Staro-Katolicki Kościół Mariawitów}}) between 1910 and 1967, when it became ''{{lang|pl|Kościół Starokatolicki Mariawitów}}'' a grammatical change which does not affect the translation into English.<ref name="OCMC2015home">{{cite web |title=The Old Catholic Mariavite Church |url=http://mariawita.pl/htmls/indexang.html |website=mariawita.pl |location=Płock, Poland |publisher=Kościół Starokatolicki Mariawitów |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025153513/http://mariawita.pl/htmls/indexang.html |archive-date=25 October 2015 |access-date=25 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sukcesja Apostolska |url=http://www.mariawita.pl/htmls/sukcesja_apostolska.html |website=mariawita.pl |language=pl |location=Płock, Poland |publisher=Kościół Starokatolicki Mariawitów |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040830080400/http://www.mariawita.pl/htmls/sukcesja_apostolska.html |archive-date=30 August 2004 |access-date=23 October 2015}}</ref>

===After the 1935 schism===
The Kowalski loyalists moved from Płock to [[Felicjanów, Płock County|Felicjanów]]. The village is the headquarters of the [[Catholic Mariavite Church|Catholic Church of the Mariavites]], which has about 3,000 members. The denomination confirmed all the decisions of Kowalski and introduced a public cult of Kozłowska, the ''Mateczka'', the Spouse of Christ and new ''Redemptrix'' of the world. The church is insular and does not participate in the ecumenical movement. Kowalski died in [[Dachau concentration camp]] during [[World War II]]. His successor was his wife, Bishop Maria Izabela Wiłucka-Kowalska. From 1946 to 2005, the head of the church was Bishop {{illm|Maria Rafael Wojciechowski|pl}}. He was succeeded in 2005 by Bishop {{illm|Maria Beatrycze Szulgowicz|pl}}.

Feldman led the opposition to Kowalski and attracted the majority of Mariavite adherents. They decided to reverse most of the innovations introduced by Kowalski. They returned to Kozłowska's ideas and rules. The Old Catholic Mariavite Church is much the larger: {{As of|2011|lc=y}} it had about 23,500 members in Poland.{{sfn|Poland|2013|pp=44–45}}

==Structure of the Mariavite church==
===Old Catholic Mariavite Church===
Leaders:
* 1906–1935: [[Jan Maria Michał Kowalski]]
* 1935 Schism
* 1935–1945: [[Maria Filip Feldman]]
* 1945–1953: {{illm|Maria Jakub Próchniewski|lt=Roman Maria Jakub Próchniewski|pl|Maria Jakub Próchniewski}}
* 1953–1955: {{illm|Maria Bartłomiej Przysiecki|lt=Wacław Maria Bartłomiej Przysiecki|pl|Maria Bartłomiej Przysiecki}}
* 1955–1965: {{illm|Maria Michał Sitek|lt=Jan Maria Michał Sitek|pl|Maria Michał Sitek}}
* 1965–1972: {{illm|Maria Innocenty Gołębiowski|lt=Wacław Maria Innocenty Gołębiowski|pl|Maria Innocenty Gołębiowski}}
* 1972–1997: {{illm|Maria Tymoteusz Kowalski|lt=Stanisław Maria Tymoteusz Kowalski|pl|Maria Tymoteusz Kowalski}}
* 1997–2007: {{illm|Maria Włodzimierz Jaworski|lt=Zdzisław Maria Włodzimierz Jaworski|pl|Maria Włodzimierz Jaworski}}
* 2007–2015: {{illm|Maria Ludwik Jabłoński|lt=Michał Maria Ludwik Jabłoński|pl|Maria Ludwik Jabłoński}}
* 2015–2023: {{illm|Maria Karol Babi|lt=Marek Maria Karol Babi|pl|Maria Karol Babi}} who was removed from office and demoted from episcopal status, effective 15-10-2023, by the Church's Main Chapter following serious maladministration and financial irregularities.<ref>{{cite web|author=Bruncz, Dariusz|title=Mariawici wybrali dwóch nowych biskupów| url=https://www.ekumenizm.pl/koscioly/katolickie/mariawici-wybrali-dwoch-nowych-biskupow/|website=www.ekumenizm.pl|language=pl|access-date=2023-10-25}}</ref>
* from 2023: {{illm|Maria Jan Opala|lt=Jarosław Maria Jan Opala|pl|Maria Jan Opala}}

Administration:
[[File:Parafie KSM.PNG|right|thumb|Dioceses of the Old Catholic Mariavite Church in Poland]]
organized into three [[diocese]]s in Poland with 38 parishes and one province in France with 2 parishes:
*{{illm|Old Catholic Mariavite Church Diocese of Warsaw-Płock|lt=Diocese of Warsaw-Płock|pl|Diecezja warszawsko-płocka}} with cathedral in Płock
*{{illm|Old Catholic Mariavite Church Diocese of Podlasie-Lublin|lt=Diocese of Podlasie-Lublin|pl|Diecezja lubelsko-podlaska}} with cathedral in [[Cegłów, Mińsk County|Cegłów]]
*{{illm|Old Catholic Mariavite Church Diocese of Silesia-Łódź|lt=Diocese of Silesia-Łódź|pl|Diecezja śląsko-łódzka}} with cathedral in [[Łódź]]
*{{illm|Old Catholic Mariavite Church Province of France|lt=Province of France|pl|Prowincja francuska Kościoła Starokatolickiego Mariawitów}} ({{langx|fr|Province de France de l'Eglise Vieille-Catholique Mariavite}}) with cathedral in [[Paris]]

===Order of Mariavites in Germany===
The Order of the Mariavites in Germany ({{langx|de|Orden der Mariaviten in Deutschland e.V.}}) is an ''{{lang|de|[[Eingetragener Verein]]}}'' type association in Germany. Even in 1949, this association was not legally recognized as a sect by Germany.<ref name="DerSpiegel1949">{{cite magazine |year=1949 |title=Wenn man den Drang in sich spürt |url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-44439375.html |url-status=live |journal=Der Spiegel |language=de |issue=52 |pages=10–11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024004125/http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-44439375.html |archive-date=24 October 2015|access-date=24 October 2015 <!--|quote=Zuweilen sagte aber Bischof Paulus Maria in gehobener Stimmung selber: 'Es ist ja doch alles Schwindel'.-->}}</ref>

Apostolic succession:
*Kowalski consecrated {{illm|Marie Marc Fatôme|pl}} on 4 September 1938 in Felicjanow, Poland
*Fatôme consecrated {{illm|Marie Paulus Maas|pl}} on 9 October 1949 in [[Mannheim]], Germany<ref name="DerSpiegel1949"/>{{efn|According to ''{{lang|de|[[Der Spiegel]]}}'' in 1949, Maas had impersonated a [[Catholic priest]] and occasionally flouted{{Clarify|date=March 2023}}: "It is after all a swindle." Although Maas was investigated by Mannheim police, the prosecutor did not issue an arrest warrant until the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Freiburg]] pointed out that Maas violated the 1933 ''{{lang|de|[[Reichskonkordat]]}}'' by wearing Catholic [[clerical clothing]] in public. According to ''{{lang|de|Der Spiegel}}'', Maas wanted to become a priest without a theological education, so he forged his ''{{lang|de|[[Mittlere Reife]]}}'', ''{{lang|de|[[Abitur]]}}'', and certification as a Roman Catholic theologian; he also used two honorary doctorates that he was not entitled to use in Germany.<ref name="DerSpiegel1949"/>}}
*Maas consecrated {{illm|Maria Norbert Szuwart|pl}} on 31 October 1987 in [[Cologne]], Germany

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
* {{cite journal
|last=Appolis
|first=Émile
|year=1965
|title=Une Église des derniers temps: L'Église Mariavite
|journal=Archives de sociologie des religions
|language=fr
|volume=19
|issue=19
|pages=51–67
|doi=10.3406/assr.1965.2572
|issn=0003-9659
|jstor=30120666
}}
* {{cite book
|last=Bain
|first=Alan
|year=1985
|title=Bishops Irregular: An International Directory of Independent Bishops
|location=Bristol, England
|publisher=A.&nbsp;M. Bain
|isbn=978-0-9510298-0-0
}}
* {{cite book
|last=Brandreth
|first=Henry R.&nbsp;T.
|author-link=Henry R. T. Brandreth
|year=2007
|title=Episcopi Vagantes and the Anglican Church
|publisher=Borgo Press
|isbn=978-0-912134-06-2
}}
* {{cite encyclopedia
|last=Karski
|first=Karol
|year=2003
|title=Mariavites
|editor1-last=Fahlbusch
|editor1-first=Erwin
|editor2-last=Lochman
|editor2-first=Jan Milič
|editor3-last=Mbiti
|editor3-first=John
|editor3-link=John Mbiti
|editor4-last=Pelikan
|editor4-first=Jaroslav
|editor4-link=Jaroslav Pelikan
|editor5-last=Vischer
|editor5-first=Lukas
|editor5-link=Lukas Vischer (theologian)
|editor6-last=Bromiley
|editor6-first=Geoffrey W.
|editor6-link=Geoffrey W. Bromiley
|editor7-last=Barrett
|editor7-first=David B.
|encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of Christianity
|volume=3
|location=Grand Rapids, Michigan
|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
|pages=402–403
|isbn=978-0-8028-2415-8
}}
* {{cite journal
|last=Łagosz
|first=Zbigniew
|year=2013
|title=Mariavites and the Occult: A Search for the Truth
|journal=Anthropos
|volume=108
|issue=1
|pages=256–266
|doi=10.5771/0257-9774-2013-1-256
|issn=0257-9774
|jstor=23510279
}}
* {{cite book
|author=Poland. [[Central Statistical Office (Poland)|Central Statistical Office]]
|year=2013
|title=Wyznania religijne stowarzyszenia narodowościowe i etniczne w Polsce 2009–2011
|trans-title=Churches, Denominations as well as National and Ethnic Associations in Poland, 2009–2011
|url=http://stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xbcr/gus/oz_wyznania_religijne_stow_nar_i_etn_w_pol_2009-2011.pdf
|url-status=live
|language=pl
|location=Warsaw
|publisher=Statistical Publishing Establishment
|isbn=978-83-7027-519-8
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008043642/http://www.stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xbcr/gus/oz_wyznania_religijne_stow_nar_i_etn_w_pol_2009-2011.pdf
|archive-date=8 October 2013
|access-date=22 July 2018
|ref={{sfnref|Poland|2013}}
}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book
|last=Peterkiewicz
|first=Jerzy
|author-link=Jerzy Pietrkiewicz
|year=1975
|title=The Third Adam
|location=London
|publisher=Oxford University Press
|isbn=978-0-19-212198-1
|url-access=registration
|url=https://archive.org/details/thirdadam00jerz
}}
* {{cite book
|last1=Pruter
|first1=Karl
|author1-link=Karl Pruter
|last2=Melton
|first2=J. Gordon
|author2-link=J. Gordon Melton
|year=1983
|title=The Old Catholic Sourcebook
|location=New York
|publisher=Garland Publishers
|isbn=978-0-8240-9111-8
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Mariavite Church}}

* {{Official website}}
{{Polish religions}}
{{Christianity in Poland}}
{{Portal bar|Christianity|Poland}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mariavite Church| ]]
[[Category:Christian organizations established in 1903]]
[[Category:Christian denominations established in the 20th century]]
[[Category:1903 establishments in Poland]]