PORTRETUL UNUI PREOT DE ŢARĂ ATIPIC: IULIAN CHITTA DIN VICARIATUL RODNEI (1930–1948)

This study brings before the readers’ eyes the portrait of a priest who shepherded,between 1930 and 1948, the communities in two parishes from the Vicariate Foraneof Rodna: first, the parish of Găureni (Aluniş), and then the parish of Runcu Salvei(1934–1948). The psychological portrait of the priest Iulian Chitta is atypical comparedto the typology of clergymen in this region, but also by reference to the model of theRomanian priests in rural areas. First of all, he was not a man of the place, as he was bornin the locality of Floreşti, Someş County, a phenomenon that was rarely encountered inthis vicariate, where the prevailing custom was that priests should be men of the place,descendants of the Năsăud border guards. Second, he received a complex intellectualtraining, graduating the Faculty of Theology, but also attending the teacher trainingcourse at the University of Cluj; in addition, he also enrolled in the Faculty of Law inOradea Mare for one semester. He had a somewhat rebellious temperament, insistingon openly expressing his ideas and beliefs, even at the risk of losing his position as aservant of the altar. These ideas referred to democracy, freedom and equality of rightsfor all people regardless of their ethnic origin or social status. On the other hand, itis true that judging by various statements made by his contemporaries, he appearsto have had a tempestuous character and to have manifested a certain penchant fordrinking. This article recounts two moments that can reveal the personality of thispriest: his dispute with the regional notary from Zagra, Csomos Pál, in early 1933, aconflict that was about to take on national overtones, and his editing of the newspaperPoporul (1935), considered by the authorities to be of socialist orientatio