Interes Kościoła, interes państwa czy interes rodu na przykładzie aktywności biskupa płockiego Stanisława Łubieńskiego (1574-1640)

Abstract

Bishop Stanisław Łubieński was aware of the importance of family environment he himself owed a lot in his career. He treated his official positions with absolute seriousness and responsibility. Especially as Bishop of Płock, he surrounded himself with trustworthy and competent people. Some of them were also his relatives, for example Stanisław Starczewski, Suffragan Bishop of Płock, and Abbot in Saint Adalbert's Abbey in Płock, Wojciech Łubieński, Pułtusk Provost, Marcin Starczewski, Płock Dean, or Andrzej Trzebicki, Płock Scholastic. Stanisław Łubieński's high position meant not only great prestige for his close family but it was also an opportunity to obtain various posirions and offices through his contacts. Bishop Stanisław Łubieński belonged to the group of senators distinguished by the serious approach to their state duties, a sense of responsibility for the state's fate, and boldness of political views. He was the king's adviser. He saw the need to reform free elections to protect the state from the interference of foreign courts into the process of king's election. Close relations between Łubieński and King Sigismund III were confirmed by the fact the Bishop was invited to speak at the funeral of the deceased monarch. He stood by the king's side in a very turbulent time of the so called Zebrzydowski Rebellion. After death of Sigismund III, the impact of Bishop Stanisław Łubieński on the current state policy was gradually changing. King Władysław IV slowly removed old and experienced politicians although he did not completely underestimate their opinions. For example, he asked Łubieński many times to,supporthis political plans in Mazovia. Personnel changes in Władysław IV's environment as well as the Bishop's declining health condition meant that his position was changing. An old and sick man, he died on April 16, 1640.