Polish Church Leader Criticizes Priest Wishing Francis Death

Crux ^ | 3/18/18 | AP

[marshmallow]

WARSAW, Poland - Poland’s leading archbishop deplored on Sunday comments by a senior conservative priest who had wished Pope Francis a quick death if he does not open to “wisdom.”

Krakow Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski said he heard about the comments with “great pain and regret” and has discussed them face-to-face with Monsignor Edward Staniek, who made them in a Feb. 25 church speech in Krakow.

Krakow was the seat of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, the late Pope St. John Paul II. Poland’s Church remains attached to John Paul’s more conservative stance. A majority of Poland’s bishops see their mission as preserving the traditional Catholic values from the pressure of secularization.

In his speech, Staniek, who is a prominent theologian, said he was praying for wisdom for Francis and a “heart open to the Holy Spirit, and if he does not do that, for a quick passage to the House of the Father,” meaning death.

He said that Francis has departed from the teaching of Jesus and was wrongly interpreting mercy as opening up to Muslims and allowing communion for divorced Catholics, who, according to the Church, live in mortal sin and are not allowed communion.

[HangnJudge]

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21

But desiring someone’s death is over the top

[ConorMacNessa]

I certainly don't wish his death - I pray for his conversion to Catholicism.

"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

[Wuli]

Criticism is one thing. Wishing death on a person you criticize has no honest moral support. I suggest the priest repent and ask for forgiveness for his own transgression.

[montag813]

I pray for his death often. I hope Francis dies tonight. I don’t care if it is “quick” or not.