Adam Stankievič

Who was Adam Stankievič?

Adam Stankievič was a Belarusian Roman Catholic priest, politician and writer. Stankievič was one of ideologists of the Belarusian Christian democratic movement in the early 20th century.

Adam Stankievič was born in Arlianiaty, near Ashmyany. In 1914 he graduated from a priest seminary in Wilno. Adam Stankievič was one of the founders of the Belarusian Christian Democratic Union and the Belarusian Christian Democracy. He was one of the first priests to use Belarusian language in church services.

Adam Stankievič was an active member of the Belarusian national movement in Poland-controlled West Belarus. In 1922 he was elected to the Sejm as member of the Bloc of National Minorities.

Unlike his fellow-villager, the notable West Belarusian politician and scientist Jan Stankievič, Adam refused to cooperate with the Germans after their invasion in Poland. During World War II he lived in Wilno where he published Belarusian religious literature.

In 1944 Adam Stankievič refused to flee from Belarus with the retreating German armies. He was arrested by Soviet authorities soon after reinstallation of Soviet control over Wilno. In 1949 he was sent to the concentration camp in Taishet, Irkutsk oblast, where he died.