Father Andrzej Jarosiewicz, formerly the parish priest of the basilica in Bolesławiec and, since 2023, of the parish in Węgliniec, is controversial and regularly appears in national media. Described by journalists as a “scandal-monger,” he is associated with unlawfully celebrating perpetual Masses and with the exorbitant funeral fees he set in Węgliniec.
In February 2025, a precedent-setting trial began. Father Andrzej Jarosiewicz and Adrian Dankowski accused the istotne.pl editorial team of defamation. The priest did everything he could to silence the matter concerning the film “Who Is Adrian?”, which presented his relationship with the celebrity Adrian Drankowski, who is nearly 30 years younger than him. Such action, known by the English acronym SLAPP, is intended to gag journalists.
After the latest conversation with Bishop Andrzej Siemieniewski in June 2025, it is clear that the Curia is exceptionally lenient toward Father Jarosiewicz.
The bishop was unaware that Adrian Drankowski continued to visit Father Jarosiewicz in Węgliniec, as parishioners had written to him.
– I know nothing about it. I have not been to Węgliniec for a year – Bishop Andrzej Siemieniewski told istotne.pl. – Pastoral ministry can be assessed over the years, so we need to wait a year, or two. Then assess the situation – the bishop added, speaking about leaving Father Jarosiewicz in the parish in Węgliniec.
It is possible that the bishop will decide that Father Jarosiewicz is serving the faithful quite well and will want to transfer him back to the parish in Bolesławiec, to the basilica whose renovation and planning exhausted the priest so much that he asked for a temporary rest in Węgliniec.
For now, Father Andrzej Jarosiewicz returned to Bolesławiec for a court hearing on June 30, 2025, which has been taking place before the local court since February.
The priest came to court dressed elegantly but without a clerical collar. He behaved casually in the courthouse corridor, although he did not confront the defendants. In front of the courtroom, he spoke with his lawyer and behaved naturally. Until entering the courtroom, he stayed on the upper floors of the courthouse. He arrived early enough to avoid meeting the journalists waiting for the case.
The istotne.pl editorial team is defended by lawyers: Agata Bzdyń (with 20 years of experience defending human rights, including before the Strasbourg tribunal) and Marcin Pawelec-Jakowiecki (a practitioner experienced in court battles concerning freedom of speech, conscience and religion, and artistic expression).
The next hearing will take place soon.