Archbishop Henryk Muszynski of Gniezno, Poland, who turns 75 on March 25, revealed that Pope Benedict XVI has granted him permission to remain in his current post for 2 years beyond the ordinary retirement age. Polish media outlets have indulged in some speculation recently about the possibility that Pope Benedict would appoint a new Archbishop of Gniezno.
The post is particularly important because historically the Archbishop of Gniezno has held the title of Polish primate.
From 1946 until 1992, the Archbishop of Gniezno doubled as Archbishop of Warsaw.
In 1992, when he approved a restructuring of the Polish hierarchy and appointed a Archbishop Muszynski to head the Gniezno archdiocese, Pope John Paul II stipulated that Cardinal Jozef Glemp of Warsaw would remain the primate.
Pope Benedict later confirmed that Cardinal Glemp will hold that title until he turns 80.
When Cardinal Glemp reaches his 80th birthday in December 2009, then, the title of Polish primate will presumably revert to the Archbishop of Gniezno.
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