 On 12 February 1799, in the first ballot, Kareu was elected Vicar General of the Society in Russia.He soon had to deal with the bishop of Mogilev's desire to interfere in the appointment of Provincials and Rectors in the Society.Kareu appealed to Emperor Paul I, of Russia, who reaffirmed the independence of the Society, and asked for Jesuits to take charge of a few projects in Lithuania and in Saint Petersburg, at the Church of Saint Catharina.