Pope Leo XIV exalts Blessed Stefan Wyszyński

Pope Leo XIV remembered Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, who heroically resisted communism in Poland and was also a mentor of San Juan Paul II.

During his greeting to the pilgrims at the General Hearing of May 28, the anniversary of the death of Blessed, the Holy Father exalted his testimony and example of life as a “Faithful pastor to Christ” despite the communist persecution.

“With sacrifice and dialogue he worked for the unity of the Church and society. That your testimony is for you source of inspiration in care for the Church and the homeland,” said the Pontiff.

Stefan Wyszyński was born on August 3, 1901 in Zuzela Nad Bugiem, a city that at that time belonged to the Russian Empire, in a context of political and social division.

Poor and deeply religious family

The fragmented situation of his country contrasted with unity, firm values ​​and the love for the homeland that Stefan received within a poor, but deeply religious family. His father, in particular, was a key figure in his formation.

After losing his mother, Julianna, when he was just nine years old, Stefan found in the Virgin Mary the consolation and the maternal presence that he longed for.

He was ordained a priest on August 3, 1924 and appointed Vicar in the Cathedral Basilica. He studied Canon Law and Socio -Economic Sciences at the Catholic University of Lublin, where he obtained a doctorate in Canon Law.

Wyszyński’s activity in the interwar period was journalism. Specifically, he was editor, publicist and editor in chief of the magazine Priestly atheneumfrom 1932 to 1939.

He also exercised as a professor of Social Sciences at the Diocesan Seminary, was director of the Diocesan Mission Works, defender of the link and promoter of Justice at the Episcopal Court, director of the Model Mariana and of the Christian University of Workers, and member of the Primacial Social Committee.

As recalled DICASTERY FOR THE CAUSES OF THE Saintson March 4, 1946, Pius XII appointed him Bishop of Lublin. To this diocese, devastated by war, gave him a new pastoral impulse, worrying about all sectors.

The agreement with the communists to protect the Church

Two years later, on November 16, 1948, he was appointed archbishop of two great metropolis, Gniezno and Warsaw, and as the new primacy of Poland.

Wyszyński, in addition to holding the position of president of the Episcopal Conference, exercised jurisdiction on the post-aleman territories granted to Poland, ensuring Catholics in the Soviet Union.

Given the increasingly tense relations with the communist regime, the primacy Wyszyński decided in April 1950 to sign an “agreement” with the communist government.

With this agreement, the authorities recognized the autonomy of the Church and its hierarchical dependence of the Pope. For his part, Wyszynski had to admit the legitimacy of the regime.

The Holy See saw this gesture as something negative, since it considered the document too conciliatory, at a time when collaboration with communism could be punished with excommunication.

However, the objective of Poland’s primacy was to protect the church of his country and, thanks to this position, the Church in Poland was saved in the most bloody Stalinist period.

To César what is from Caesar, and God what is from God

Despite the agreement, the authorities wanted to take control of the appointments of the bishops in the Catholic Church.

Given this, Wyszyński expressed a firm opposition to words: ¡We can!, with which he declared the refusal to continue yielding and preventing “the things of César” from being installed on the altar of God.

This caused his arrest on September 25, 1953, the same year in which Cardinal was created by Pope Pius XII. He remained in isolation for three years, being released on October 28, 1956.

The cardinal resumed his pastoral activities, becoming a symbol of freedom, justice, respect for the human being and unity for the entire Polish people. In addition, he actively participated in the Second Vatican Council. He died on May 28, 1981 in Warsaw (Poland) after suffering cancer.

A strong intelligent man

The Vatican Dicastery defines him as an “intelligent and strong man”, who had to make delicate decisions “and issue provisions of special relevance.” His testimony and his action were a hard blow to the communist regime, which sought to eradicate the country’s Catholicism.

His opposition to the regime, which cost him three years in prison, also raised hostility between certain members of the clergy related to communism. Despite loneliness and abandonment, he reinforced his faith, maintained obedience to Christ and intensified prayer.

During his detention he encouraged everyone to persevere in faith, not to think of him, but to stand firm before the enemy. He showed great love for the poor and the sick. As bishop, I visited hospitals and prisons, carrying hope and charity.

It was a mentor of San Juan Pablo II, who on October 22, 1978, at the end of the start of his pontificate, approached him to kiss his hands as a sign of affection and gratitude for having guided the Church in Poland during the years of persecution.

It was beatified on September 12, 2021, after the approval of a miraculous healing attributed to her intercession of Sister Nulla Garlińska, of the Congregation of the Disciples Sisters of the Cross.