Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz: The Church needs transparency and purification

– The Church needs transparency and purification not only now, but always. John Paul II was such a pope. He called for purification – said on Tuesday (October 20) in an interview with TVN24, Archbishop Senior of the Archdiocese of Krakow, Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz. In the interview, among others, questions about the case of Bishop Edward Janiak or the Order of the Legions of Christ, whose founder Marcial Maciel Degollado was a pedophile.

In an interview with TVN24, the former secretary of John Paul II pointed out that despite almost 16 years from the death of the Pope – “the memory of him is still alive, and moreover – it is growing”.

– There is great interest in him and his teaching. We see it all over the world, even in some countries more than in Poland – it still inspires. People come back to his teachings, philosophy, theology and come back to him – said Cardinal You surprise.

When asked about the case of Bishop Janiak and the decision to remove him from the office of the diocesan ordinary because of allegations of covering up pedophile scandals, the hierarch pointed out that this was not a breakthrough event in the Church, because such situations had already taken place in the world. He mentioned the United States and South America.

In the opinion of Card. Dziwisz – the decision to leave Bishop Janiak from office is “a new chapter in the history of the Church in Poland”.

He also pointed out that the fight against concealing pedophilia started with John Paul II, who said “zero tolerance” for sexual abuse. He recalled that the pope issued documents to help bishops in solving difficult cases.

He also mentioned that Pope John Paul II demanded care, respect and a place in the Church for victims of pedophilia.

Card. Dziwisz, when asked if he remembers the conversation from 2012 with Fr. Isakowicz-Zaleski, during which he was to learn about the use of Janusz Szymik by the then parish priest in Międzybrodzie Bialskie, Jan Wodniak, card. he replied that he did not remember conversations on this subject. – This matter did not belong to me, but to the bishop of the Bielsko-Żywiec diocese – he said.

He also pointed out that he was in Rome when these things happened. – While in Krakow, I found out about it very late and I found out about it from the press. In fact, Father Wodniak was tried and this case was high-profile at that time – explained Cardinal You surprise.

In his opinion, the bishop of Bielsko “is a noble and responsible bishop”. – By the way, I called him recently about this and asked him about it, but he replied that he did not remember the details. Well, he is already in his age – already 83 years old, so he may not remember more details – said the cardinal.

When asked whether the reaction of Church representatives to Szymik’s harm was not some kind of lack of empathy, the senior of the Archdiocese of Krakow stated that “the clergy have consciences”. – If I had known about all the details, I would have reacted, although I had no right to do so – said Cardinal You surprise. – I cannot talk much about it, because this is a different diocese – he added.

“They want to shift the responsibility to me, and I didn’t have that responsibility then, because I had no knowledge,” he explained.

The hierarch also said that regarding the letter of Fr. Isakowicz-Zaleski about Janusz Szymik made a query in the curia. “I have never seen Janusz’s letter,” he said. He also announced that he would again ask for a query at the Krakow Curia. He also mentioned that he was planning to meet the victim. “Seems to be this conversation,” he said.

Card. Dziwisz was also asked about the case of the Order of the Legions of Christ, whose founder, Marcial Maciel Degollado, was a pedophile. The order itself published a report according to which its 33 priests in 1941-2019 sexually abused 175 victims, including 60 of them – Maciel himself.

Dziwisz emphasized that he was absolutely beyond this topic. “Haven’t heard anything about it,” he said.

The clergyman also noted that John Paul II never concealed or concealed matters. All papers were in the offices responsible for the given activities. Even if he had any documents, he sent them to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith – explained the cardinal. He added that the pope sent delegations to Mexico and the United States to investigate the matter.

When asked why nothing happened for a long time, the hierarch replied that “the Roman Curia is working slowly but precisely.”

Card. Dziwisz emphasized that “the Church needs transparency and purification – not only now, but always. John Paul II was such a pope.”

After the interview, Card. Dziwisz asked for some details. He stated that John Paul II tried to explain the crimes of Marcial Maciel Degollado, which was later taken over by Pope Benedict XVI. “He appointed delegates to investigate the matter on the spot,” he said.

He noted that “such matters did not pass through the pope’s personal secretariat.” – The matter was very serious, so the talks were at the highest level – said the hierarch. He added that “on business matters, the Pope did not talk to his friends.”

Card. Dziwisz emphasized that John Paul II “was not afraid of such matters” and “did not put them off”. – It was transferred to specific offices and it went. It was not postponed, ‘he said.

He also pointed out that the Pope repeatedly said that “the Church is holy, but the people of the Church are sinners”. Hence, as he added – John Paul II repeated that “the Church must constantly purify itself”. Out of this concern for the purity of the Church and the aggrieved people, documents were issued to the American and Irish bishops, and then to the entire Church, the cardinal explained.

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