Karol Wojtyła was deeply convinced that the future of the world, especially Poland, could not belong to Marxists. Too strong was the desire for freedom, democracy and solidarity that was awakening in society. Like the Primate, the Metropolitan of Krakow has closely watched the attitude of Vatican policy towards the countries of the Eastern Bloc. (…) Poland was a rather unusual case against the background of the communist archipelago. It was distinguished by a strong, united and well-organized Church, as well as a different attitude of the people than in other “peoples’ democratic” countries. June 25, 1976 came. On that day something happened that radically changed the face of Poland. In Radom and Ursus- a tractor factory on the outskirts of the capital, another protest broke out due to the increase in the price of basic articles. For the first time, however, intellectuals, students, and farmers joined the demonstrating workers. (…) Catholics spoke together with non-believers to confirm that in the name of solidarity and the common good it is possible to overcome ideological barriers and old prejudices. Polish society, turning against the authorities that instead of representing the nation it represented the party, found its own strength and subjectivity. In order to strengthen unity, the Church joined with its moral authority. Cardinal Wyszyński intervened, urging the government to stop violence, arrests, and criminal proceedings. Cardinal Wojtyła also spoke; stressing that peace-building should be based solely on respect for human rights and nation. The Metropolitan of Krakow, although he did not take direct part in the clash, argued that the Polish people, who had fought for their sovereignty for so long, valued democracy a lot. The Polish people suffered so much during the last World War, shedding blood on many fronts in the struggle for freedom, deprived of his elementary rights. His words showed the ethical dimension of the events which were taking place. The words were ahead of the revolution that was to be born in Poland a few years later with “Solidarity.”
With the consent of Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz – “Testimony”.
TBA marketing communication Publishing House. Warsaw 2007
