President
of the Polish Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Józef Michalik, claims
that there is “an organized symphony of hate” against the Roman Catholic
Church in Poland.
The archbishop is thought to be referring directly to a recent article published in the Wprost magazine on 19 March, based on statements made by unnamed clergy, which alleged that the archbishop of Gdansk, Sławoj Leszek Głódź, had a problem with alcohol and humiliated, bullied and insulted priests under his charge during “nightly drunken parties”.
The Archdiocese of Gdansk released a statement calling for an end to “libellous statements” which brought back the anti-clerical atmosphere “reminiscent of the communists-era".
The Roman Catholic Church in Poland has also been under fire from liberal MPs such as Janusz Palikot – the leader of the third largest party in parliament – and changes to the funding of the Church by the present government.
Meanwhile, Archbishop of Krakow. Stanislaw Dziwisz, in his Mass on Maundy Thursday, said “the election of Pope Francis is an accurate answer to the problems of the Church”.
"We sincerely hope that the pontificate of Pope Francis will bring in a new springtime to the Church, revealing its true face and encouraging everyone, especially young people, to identify with the church as the great fellowship of the Lord, the Redeemer of Man,” said Stanislaw Dziwisz, one of the 115 cardinals who chose the cardinal from Argentina to be the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Referring to the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the Archbishop of Krakow said he accepted the decision with regret, but also with the utmost respect and understanding.
Cardinal Dziwisz added he had thanked the now Pope Emeritus for his "extraordinary kindness to the Polish people and for the beatification of John Paul II".