Marcin Gutowski, a TVN journalist, has completed three years of investigative work concerning sexual scandals in the Catholic Church, the cover-up of cases involving priests molesting children, and the victims of these crimes. The culmination of his work is the report “Franciszkańska 3,” in which it presents profiles of dangerous and unpunished paedophiles in clerical garb who were friends with Karol Wojtyła and were transferred by him from parish to parish. The report concerns priests Saduś, Surgent and Loranc.
On 10 March 2023, petitions concerning the renaming of streets named after John Paul II and the removal of the Świebodzice monument depicting the clergyman were submitted to the city councils of Wałbrzych and Świebodzice.
According to the petition’s authors, naming streets is a deeply symbolic act that indirectly shapes the moral attitudes of female and male residents. It is also an act that affects social integration and the quality and durability of social bonds.
– It will be better for all of us—for the state and the Church—if we finally draw a firm line between the sacred and secular spheres – comments Marcin Adamcewicz, a native of Świebodzice and the Greens’ Press Spokesperson in Wrocław.
Is Bolesławiec also preparing to rename a street and remove the monument to Karol Wojtyła?
Vote in the poll:
Czy należy zmienić ulicę Jana Pawła II w Bolesławcu i usunąć pomnik?
The Greens write in their petition:
In light of the evidence that Karol Wojtyła concealed acts of paedophilia within the Catholic Church, we cannot remain silent. We would also like to stress that we absolutely do not deny the role played by Pope John Paul II in Poland’s recent history. At the same time, we believe that Karol Wojtyła’s achievements are often exaggerated. We also recognize the pope’s negative actions during his pontificate, including his position on contraception in the context of the HIV epidemic in Africa, indifference toward discrimination against non-heteronormative people, and the diminishing of women’s role in society.
In our view, it is unacceptable to present in public spaces a person whose actions harmed so many innocent people. At the same time, we do not deny the fact that John Paul II is important to people of the Catholic faith. However, we believe this is insufficient reason to place the pope’s image in public spaces not intended for religious worship. There is a place for Karol Wojtyła as a saint of the Catholic Church in the Church, but in our view not in the public space of our city.