July 1982

Introduction by Paul Hensler: As the summer of 1982 bore down on Warsaw word began to spread about a young priest speaking about a forbidden topic, freedom. The reaction to his first four sermons at the monthly Mass for The Fatherland brought so many people to his church that the overflow was forced into the streets. This was highly illegal, without the appropriate city permits. Also in these huge crowds was the Secret Police, who mixed into the crowds and began recording his sermons. That summer the Council For Religious Affairs had two official complaints about Father Popieluszko. Typical of the written protests was a letter by Minister Lopatka to the church leadership; “Father Popieluszko’s attitude, as well as the atmosphere he created, changed a religious gathering into a political demonstration, threatening law and order in the capital.” This, said the minister, contributed “toward increasing alarm among the public and excited rowdy individuals.” Unless church authorities acted against Popieluszko and priests like him, it would be regarded as sharing responsibility for the collapse of public order. Because of the increasing pressure from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Holy Mass for The Fatherland on July 25, 1982 was concelebrated by Monsignor Teofil Bogucki and Father Popieluszko with Monsignor Bogucki delivering the sermon. [opening remarks] I heartily welcome everyone whose faith in God and love for Country brought here because this is what we had in mind introducing a year ago, this High Mass, offered for the glory of God and the Good of Our Country. No other motives propelled us, only […]