Franciszek Kareu

Franciszek Kareu (10 December 1731, Orsa, Belarus - 11 August 1802, Polatsk, Belarus) was Temporary Vicar General of the Society of Jesus in Russia from 1799 to 1801. After Pope Pius VII’s official approval of the Jesuits’ existence in Russia, he was declared Superior General of the Society of Jesus (1801-1802)

Early years and Formation

Born of an English family settled in Belarus, he followed the usual course of studies, Humanities and Philosophy, in Orsa before joining the Jesuits. Two years of novitiate in Vilnius (1754-56) were followed by a bout of teaching in Kraziai, Lithuania (1756-58). Theology (1759-63) in Pinsk where he was ordained priest in 1762.

Career

After being a missionary in several places, Minsk (Belarus), Nesviz (Poland) and Slutsk (Belarus), Kareu arrived in 1768 in Polatsk where he studied Architecture under the guidance of Gabriel Lenkiewicz, along with teaching Philosophy and Mathematics in the High School (1769-72). Being close to Stanislaus Czerniewicz and Lenkiewicz he helped them in their efforts to keep the Society of Jesus going in Russia. He was made the Rector of the High School of Orsa in 1782 and took part in the Regional Congregation of 1782 and 1785 that elected successively Cerniewicz and Lenkiewicz, Temporary Vicar in Russia. After 1785 Kareu was made Rector of the most prestigious Jesuit High School in Russia, Polatsk. He contributed to its influence by creating a printing press from where came out school manuals as well as philosophical and theological treatises and devotional books.

Regional (Polish) Congregation III

On the 12 February 1799, at the first ballot, Kareu was elected Vicar General. He had soon to handle the difficult problem of local bishop (Mogilev) who wanted to take on himself the right to appoint Provincials and Rectors. Kareu appealed to the Emperor Paul I who restored to the Society its independence and entrusted her with several projects in Lithuania and Saint Petersburg (church of Saint Catharina). The emperor’s suggestion of a High school in St Petersburg was also accepted, but this could not be started as Paul I died, assassinated in March 1801. His successor, Emperor Alexander I was far less friendly towards the Society.

uperior General

Through the intervention of a Jesuit established in Parma since 1793, and a later letter of Kareu with the strong backing of another letter of Emperor Paul I - and overriding a strong opposition of Spain - Pope Pius VII recognized officially the existence of the Society in Russia (brief "Catholicae Fidei" of 7 march 1801). In the same brief the Pope declared that Kareu could use the title of "Superior General" though only in Russia. Contacts with ex-Jesuits increased, especially thanks to his efficient Assistant Gabriel Gruber. The Rector of Stonyhurst (England) requested affiliation of the school to the Russian Province. Negotiations began for a possible union with the ‘Paccanarist’ priests. The Patriarch of Constantinople asked the help of Jesuits. The possibility of a complete and universal restoration of the Society did not seem to be a distant dream.

Death

Since the beginning of 1801 Kareu was suffering of asthma. As his health kept deteriorating he appointed a Vicar General to assist him as. He died in Polatsk on the 11 August 1802.

References

*INGLOT, M., "La Compagnia di Gesù nell'Impero Russo (1772-1820)", Roma, 1997.
*ZALENSKI, S., "Les Jésuites de la Russie Blanche", (2 vol.), Paris, 1886.
*ROUET de JOURNEL, M.J., "La Compagnie de Jésus en Russie: un collège de Jésuites à Saint Pétersbourg (1800-16)", Paris, 1922.