As Members of the Administrative Council of the Vatican John Paul II Foundation we express our opposition to the accusations made in the Polish public space regarding the person of St. John Paul II.
On the basis of the analysis of the available documents, it is clear that Cardinal Karol Wojtyła, when he was Archbishop of Krakow, acted in accordance with the then binding Code of Canon Law in response to cases of sexual abuse committed by clergy against minors that were reported to him; moreover, on more than one occasion, they preceded the actions of law enforcement agencies. He was guided by the principle that every wrongful act must be judged and the perpetrator of that act should face the consequences. In turn, as Pope, having recognised the scale of sexual crimes, he introduced the necessary canonical and pastoral norms in the Church to put an end to these crimes. Therefore, experts from various parts of the world stress that it was John Paul II who started the proper fight against sexual abuse of minors in the Church.
It is clear that the accusations made against John Paul II today are not an expression of justice and concern for those who have been wronged, but, being unfounded, are aimed at destroying the good name of the Polish Pope, undermining his authority and limiting the impact of his teaching.
The truth cannot be found by merely giving in to emotions or succumbing to various types of pressure, including media pressure. It is also difficult to speak of the truth when information is created to suit a preconceived thesis, and when time, circumstances and the various circumstances of the event at the time are ignored when evaluating the past. The truth must always be sought honestly, diligently and with common sense, i.e. with the ability to think rationally and assess the situation objectively. This must not be done in an atmosphere of media vilification and defamation campaigns.
In the name of the common good of our homeland, we appeal for an end to the escalation of emotions and divisions by making – on the basis of doubtful documentation and the accounts of anonymous or self-proclaimed witnesses – damaging accusations against St John Paul II.
On behalf of the members of the Foundation Council, Monsignor Pawel Ptasznik, Chairman of the Administrative Council of the John Paul II Foundation
