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Posted on 01/07/2007 8:35:21 AM PST by JoAnka
Archbishop Stanislaw Wielgus, now proven to have collaborated with Poland's communist regime, has officially stepped down. The Pope accepted his resignation.
The news came unexpectedly in the morning, in the midst of preparations for the archbishop's inauguration ceremony. The decision was reportedly a result of negotiations at the Vatican level. According to some sources, it was Pope Benedict personally, who suggested that archbishop Wielgus step down after finding out that he did not reveal the whole truth in his recent statements to the Vatican about his past collaboration with Poland's communist regime.
Instead of the inauguration ceremony, which was scheduled for today, a thanksgiving Mass for the work of the previous archbishop metropolitan of Warsaw, Józef Glemp, took place in the Warsaw Cathedral at 11:00 am.
Hundreds of supporters and opponents of Warsaw's new archbishop metropolitan, gathered in and in front of the Cathedral for the inauguration Mass. Those who wished the archbishop to step down carried banners saying "non possumus" - "we cannot allow that". Others, who came to support archbishop Wielgus, interrupted his speech at the beginning of the Mass, shouting "stay with us". After the Mass, the crowds went out on the streets and marched to the Warsaw residence of archbishop Wielgus. It has been reported, that a reporter for Gazeta Polska, the weekly which first wrote on the scandal, was physically attacked by a crowd of the archbishop's supporters.
The story as it developed
Archbishop Wielgus was first accused of having spied for the Communists in a press publication just before Christmas. In an article, the weekly Gazeta Polska said that archbishop Wielgus had collaborated with communist era secret services for over 20 years and that he had been an eager worker first for the communist police 4th department dedicated to destroying the Catholic Church and later for the regime's intelligence. The then Fr. Stanislaw Wielgus continued his collaboration with the communists unintimidated even by brutal murders on priests by the communist secret services.
At the time of the first publication archbishop Wielgus denied the allegations and insisted that the document were fake.
Following the publication, Poland became deeply divided on the issue with many church officials and commentators vehemently defending the bishop and accusing the weekly Gazeta Polska of spreading lies. On the other hand, voices were raised demanding full transparency of the bishop's past, among them that of Catholic commentator Tomasz Terlikowski, who insisted on a thorough investigation of the matter by the Church historical committee.
The case seemed to be closed once and for all when the Vatican issued a statement fully supporting archbishop Wielgus and saying that the Pope has "utmost trust" in the nominee. Critics of archbishop Wielgus doubted that the Pope could have been fully informed about archbishop Wielgus's past at that time.
Then, after two independent committees have finally examined the documents, it was proven beyond doubt, that archbishop Wielgus' collaboration with the communist regime actually did take place. The archbishop then altered his position admitting to collaboration but denying ever meaning or having done any harm to anyone.
Friday morning, hours before he took office, archbishop Wielgus still kept denying having done any harm by his 22 year long work for the communist regime's secret police. Directly following his appointment, however, archbishop Wielgus issued an apology for his collaboration with communist services and for denying the truth over the past days. "I did harm to the Church", he finally admitted. It was however questioned, whether the archbishop has in fact authored the statement himself.
After the archbishop's apology, pressures and appeals for him to step down did not cease. Opinion polls showed that the faithful were most offended not by the archbishop's shameful past, but by his recent stubborn denials of the truth until after he was appointed and documents leaving no doubt as to his guilt were on the table.
Journalists from the weekly WPROST have found that Józef Kowalczyk, Apostolic nuncio to Poland had been aware of archbishop Wielgus' problematic past as early as two months ago. It is feared, that Kowalczyk might have been instrumental in keeping the Pope not well enough informed on the issue.
According to a statement issued today by the Vatican representative in Warsaw, the pope had asked the outgoing archbishop of Warsaw, Cardinal Józef Glemp, to continue in that post "until further decisions have been taken concerning the archdiocese."
Opinions
In a homily delivered at today's Mass, Cardinal Glemp defended archbishop Wielgus and questioned the validity of the documents proven to be true by two independent commissions of historians, one of which was the Church's official historical committee.
Editor in chief of Gazeta Polska, Tomasz Sakiewicz, which first published information of archbishop Wielgus's cooperation with the communist regime, is of the opinion, that the Pope's decision to accept the archbishop's resignation is a sign from the Vatican for the church to continue the process of clearing the contemporary Catholic Church in Poland of former communist collaborators. In a TV interview, Sakiewicz suggested that the Apostolic nuncio archbishop Kowalczyk is one of the persons to blame for the confusion at the Vatican about the whole affair.
Commentator Tomasz Terlikowski of Polskapresse was relieved to see archbishop Wielgus resign. He expressed hope that the man to step in the shoes of the controversial archbishop will be able to deal with the deep crisis that has divided the Catholic Church in Poland.
"I applaud the last minute civil courage of archbishop Wielgus" said Proffessor Władysław Bartoszewski at the news of the archbishop's resignation. He also said he has "utmost respect for the quick and unprecedented decision of Pope Benedict".
The opposition Civic Platform politician, Jan Rokita, has said that the archbishop's resignation is "a victory for the Church". In the opinion of the politician, the "wise decision" of the Vatican will strengthen the Church.
Media pundit Rafał Ziemkiewicz of Newsweek is of the opinion that those of the clergy who have defended archbishop Wielgus insisting on his innocence have now lost credibility. Ziemkiewicz has said that the current difficult situation is a result of the fact that the Church has not so far gone through a thorough process of decommunization.
Fr. Adam Boniecki, editor in chief of the liberal Catholic Tygodnik Powszechny thinks it is time to forgive archbishop Wielgus.
This is story is from Warsaw, the heart of the events. A ping?
That he spied on his own Church was bad enough - at least that was under a regime that may have threatened him. But he lied about it years later.
You can't do that.
Yes. That is the key thing.
Ping
The residual contamination of the Communist criminals will need much more cleansing in Poland and most of x-Soviet countries. Just think what we will learn from all the Iraqi documents as they are translated and brought to light...much like the Secret Police files from the USSR...
Like the Ed Kennedy was a commie tool as well as many, many other so-called Ameican Leaders...must read The Venona Files!!
Catholic Ping List
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list
Hey this is off-topic but I wanted to announce that today our priest announced the final changes for the purification of the vessels (induit not renewed by the Vatican late last year). Our priest announced the changes, said it would take a little more time at the end of mass, but that we could use it in contemplation of the blessings of the Eucharist. All is well here in my parish!
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[“Man who should give example to poor and lonely; has disgrace His Majesty church.
I have forgiven him. His Majesty will be judge of human hearts.
He reminds me of Cardinal Rachael of France.
What is disgusting is fact he knew it and betrayed Karol.
He betrayed my own country and allows this for many years.
“Lord has mercy of him; he did not know what he was doing.”
Many don’t know; few maybe. Don’t judge. His Majesty will be a judge of humanity hearts. Pray for him.”]
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Thank you.
Thanks for the ping and the post! You are truly blessed with a good pastor. Let him know that and reassure him of your prayers for his ministry. Priests can never hear this enough.
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Yikes.
I'm shocked. Stepping down was the least he could do.
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