There is some strange continuity between Karol Wojtyła from the Polish period and Karol Wojtyła, who became Pope; continuity in behavior, in gestures, even in words. Looks that the experiences of the adolescent years, years of priesthood and being a bishop were mandatory, necessary “stages” on the road that prepared him to take responsibility during the pontificate. All the richness of Karol Wojtyła: doctrine, science, knowledge, holiness, way of looking at the world, as well as the greatest concern as a bishop: family, youth, human rights, loyalty, the education of the clergy… Well, all his personal contribution has matured and acquired the character of universality in his ministry as the Pope. To such extent that he made his pontificate as the time of great changes. Among the Polish experience, there is probably one that will help more than others to understand all that he did later on, at the St. Peter’s Capital. The first Pope to cross the threshold of the synagogue, the first one who got committed to the “purification” of the Catholic Church’s teaching on Judaism and said the strongest words against anti-Semitism; it is the same Karol Wojtyła, who as the boy, in Wadowice, where he was born, shared his daily routine with the Jews. Wadowice had about ten thousand citizens, one third of which were Jews, who felt absolute Poles, great patriots. Catholics and Jews co-lived in the simplicity of spirit, without conflicts. Through this everyday life, rich in friendship, respect and tolerance, Karol Wojtyła had the opportunity to get to know Judaism from within; also on a religious, spiritual level.
Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz – “Testimony”
TBA Publisher, Warszawa 2007
