On the Sekielski Brothers Studio YouTube channel, a new episode dedicated to the Diocese of Legnica will premiere. The conversation is hosted by Artur Nowak – a lawyer, columnist and author of books describing abuses in the Catholic Church.

The program’s guest is Krzysztof Gwizdała, a journalist for the Istotne.pl portal who has covered local issues and investigated matters related to the functioning of Church institutions in Lower Silesia for years. The starting point for the conversation is Artur Nowak’s latest book, titled “Kuria”, in which the author describes the mechanisms of power, dependencies and silence present within Church structures.

The episode, titled “Secrets of the Diocese of Legnica,” addresses personal relationships, finances and institutional responsibility. The speakers draw attention to how, in the local reality of a diocese, religion is sometimes reduced to the role of a backdrop, while loyalty, fear and informal connections become crucial. The material also touches on scandals and the reactions – or lack thereof – from Church superiors.

Artur Nowak is known, among other things, for publishing books and reports about sexual crimes in the Church and the mechanisms used to cover them up. In his work, he collaborated with the Sekielski brothers on high-profile documentaries that resonated widely throughout Poland. The Sekielski Brothers Studio channel currently has more than 280,000 subscribers, and the conversations and reports published there regularly spark nationwide debate.

How can the Church in Poland be cleansed?

The cleansing of the Church in Poland will not happen on its own. The history of recent years shows that an institution based on a strong hierarchy, loyalty and internal dependencies has no effective self-regulation mechanisms. Attempts to hold people accountable are fragmentary, often delayed and undertaken only under public pressure. Without real outside pressure and independent scrutiny of those in power, the system remains closed and resistant to change.

That is why people outside Church structures play a crucial role: journalists, report authors, lawyers, researchers and social activists. Using the tools of free media and the right to information, they expose mechanisms of abuse, silence and cover-ups. Without their work, many stories would never see the light of day, and those harmed would remain voiceless. External oversight is not an attack on faith, but a basic condition of accountability for an institution operating in the public sphere.

That is precisely why journalists who describe the problems of the Church deserve real support – including social and financial support. Their work often involves pressure, lawsuits, hate and attempts at intimidation. Without the solidarity of audiences and readers, such efforts would be impossible to continue. If we want to know how the Church in Poland really functions, and if we care about its genuine reform, we must support those who have the courage to ask uncomfortable questions and publish difficult answers.

How can you help?

The legal cases of istotne.pl journalists are supported by the Freedom from Religion Foundation: wolnoscodreligii.pl