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The Catholic Church in Poland

Contents of this Page

Warning: This is not an official page of the Roman Catholic Church in Poland

Visit the Official page of the Roman Catholic Church in Poland

Much more information (in Polish) obtainable from MATEUSZ server

0. The Current Pope

Benedict XVI, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, elected on 19.4.2005.

1. The Popes from Poland

John Paul II , the first Pope from Poland.

2. The Current Primate of Poland

Currently, since 2004, the first bishop of the country is the elected President of the Bishop Conference. Since 2004 it is the archbishop of Przemysl, Jo`zef Michalik.

3. Former Primates of Poland

Primates of Poland were always archbishops of Gniezno. The only exception is the 55th Primate of Poland, who was the archbishop of Warsaw and the Protector of the Grave of Saint Wojciech.
Numbers in brackets indicate which and when the archbishop was the Primate of Poland.

4. Current Representitive of Holy See in Poland

Archbishop Jo`zef Kowalczyk

5. Polish Cardinals

    in Poland

  1. Jo`zef Cardinal Glemp, Archbishop of Warszawa, Primate of Poland
  2. Franciszek Macharski, Archbishop of Krako`w
  3. Henryk Gulbinowicz, Archbishop of Wrocl`aw
  4. Stanislaw Nagy, Archbishop

    abroad

  5. Wladyslaw Rubin, archbishop
  6. Andrzej Maria Deskur, USA
  7. Kazimierz Swiatek, archbishop of Minsk-Mohylew, Belarus
  8. Adam Kozlowiecki, archbishop, Zambia.
  9. Zenon Grocholewski, archbishop
  10. Marian Jaworski, archbishop of Lvov for Latin ryte, Ukraina
Consult also the complete list of Cardinals

6. Dioceses in Poland

There are together 44 dioceses in Poland, 15 being metropolitan archdioceses. Official information (in Polish) available from the Secretary of the Primate of Poland. Especially names, e-mails, phones and addresses of bishops are listed there. And also on the page of the Opoka foundation You can visit also a map of Polish dioceses with clickable references to their internet pages. Remark: The above map is valid since 1993 till 2004.
  1. Archdiocese of Bial`ystok
  2. Diocese of Bielsko and Z|ywiec
  3. Diocese of Bydgoszcz (since 2004)
  4. Archdiocese of Cze`stochowa
  5. Diocese of Drohiczyn
  6. Diocese of Elbla`g
  7. Diocese of El`k
  8. Archdiocese of Gdan`sk
  9. Diocese of Gliwice
  10. Archdiocese of Gniezno
  11. Diocese of Kalisz
  12. Archdiocese of Katowice
  13. Diocese of Kielce
  14. Diocese of Koszalin and Kol`obrzeg
  15. Archdiocese of Krako`w
  16. Diocese of Legnica
  17. Archdiocese of Lublin
  18. Diocese of L`omz|a
  19. Diocese of L`owicz
  20. Archdiocese of L`o`dz`
  21. Archdiocese of Olsztyn [Warmin`ska]
  22. Diocese of Opole
  23. Diocese of Pelplin
  24. Diocese of Pl`ock
  25. Archdiocese of Poznan`
  26. Archdiocese of Przemys`l
  27. Diocese of Radom
  28. Diocese of Rzeszo`w
  29. Diocese of Sandomierz
  30. Diocese of Siedlce
  31. Diocese of Sosnowiec
  32. Archdiocese of Szczecin and Kamien`
  33. Diocese of S`widnica (since 2004)
  34. Diocese of Tarno`w
  35. Diocese of Torun`
  36. Archdiocese of Warszawa
  37. Diocese of Warszawa-Praska
  38. Diocese of Wl`ocl`awek
  39. Archdiocese of Wrocl`aw
  40. Diocese of Zamos`c` and Lubaczo`w
  41. Diocese of Zielona Go`ra and Gorzo`w
  42. Archdiocese of Przemys`l and Warszawa for Bysanthic-Ukrainian Rhythus
  43. Diocese of Wrocl`aw and Gdan`sk for Bysanthic-Ukrainian Rhythus
  44. Field Diocese Warszawa
Dioceses of other countries are listed at community.catholic.org. Also references are avalable from Kirche online (in German). and from Catholic Canada Directory.

7. Polish Saints

Saints of Polish origin or Saints that acted in Poland - a tentatively complete list. (many of them beatified and canonized by John Paul II )
The list based on the book "Swietosc niesli polskiej ziemi" by W. Moroz, Michalineum Publishers, Krakow 1988; also on information from the currently non-existent daily "Slowo Powszechne" and the daily "Nasz Dziennik" and the weekly "Niedziela"; partially compiled from internet search engines; thanks to all visitors of this page who kindly provided me with additional information.
  1. Aron called blessed, bishop (+1059)
  2. Saint Albert Chmielowski, friar, (1845-1916)
  3. Saint Andrzej Bobola, priest, martyr, (1591-1657), ( Encyclical of Pope Pius XII promulgated on May 16, 1957. )
  4. Saint Andrzej S`wierad (Je`drzej Z|urawek), friar, (????-1034)
  5. Blessed Anicet Hryciuk, bachelor, martyr, (1855-1874, Pratuin)
  6. Blessed Aniela Salawa, servant, (1881 - 1922)
  7. Blessed Bartl`omiej Osypiuk, married, martyr, (1844-1874, Pratulin)
  8. Saint Benedykt Eremita from Bieniszewo, hermit, martyr, (????-1003)
  9. Saint Benedykt Pustelnik from Orawa, hermit, martyr, (+1035)
  10. Blessed Benigna, sister, martyr, (12??-1259)
    killed by Tartars during an invasion while defending her virginity.
  11. Blessed Bernardyna Maria Jabl`on`ska, sister, (1878-1940)
    She is the co-foundress of the Albertinian Sisters
  12. Blessed Bogumil`, bishop, hermit, (-1182)
  13. Blessed Bolesl`awa /Bronisl`awa Lament , sister, (3.07.1862- 29.01.1946)
  14. Blessed Bronisl`awa, sister (1200-1259)
    relative of Saint Jacek and Blessed Czesl`aw,
  15. Saint Brunon Bonifacy from Kwerfurt , priest, martyr (974-1009)
  16. Blessed Czesl`aw, priest, (1180-1242)
  17. Blessed Daniel Karmasz, married, martyr, (1826-1874, Pratulin)
  18. Blessed Dorota, (1347-1393)
  19. Blessed Edmund Bojanowski, bachelor (1814-1871), Click here: Little Servant Sisters Home Page for info in English
  20. Saint Faustyna Kowalska , sister, (1905-1938) (Biography also in Polish, English and French
  21. Blessed Filip Geryluk, married, martyr, (1830-1874, Pratulin)
  22. Bl. Grzymisl`awa(born before 1195-, mother of prince Boles3aw Wstydliwy)
  23. Blessed Honorat Koz`min`ski, friar, priest, (1829-1916)
  24. Blessed Ignacy Fran`czuk, married, martyr, (1824-1874, Pratulin)
  25. Saint Izaak, hermit, martyr, (????-1003)
  26. Iwo Odrow1?, called Blessed (+1229)
  27. Izajasz Boner, called Blessed (XV century -1471)
  28. Saint Jacek Odrowa`z|, priest, (12??-1257)
  29. Saint Jadwiga, queen, (1374-1399)
  30. Saint Jadwiga S`la`ska, princess, (1179-1243)
  31. Blessed Jakub Strepa, friar,bishp, (1340-1409)
  32. Saint Jan, hermit, martyr, (????-1003)
  33. Blessed Jan Andrzejuk, married, martyr, (1848-1874, Pratulin)
  34. Saint Jan from Dukla, friar, (1414-1484)
  35. Saint Jan Kanty, priest, (1399-1473)
  36. Jan Prandota, called Blessed, bishop, (1200-1266)
  37. Saint Jan Sarkander, priest, martyr, (1576-16??)
  38. Blessed Jerzy Matulewicz, bishop, (1871-1927)
  39. Blessed Jolanta, princess, (12??-1296)
    Sister of Saint Kinga, together with her husband, Bolesl`aw Poboz|ny, prince of Kalisz, founded numerous franciscan monasteries.
  40. Saint Jozofat Kuncewicz, bishop, (1580-1623)
  41. Blessed Judyta from Krako`w (Piast period)
  42. Juta from Chel`mz|a, called Blessed (1???-1260)
  43. Blessed Karolina Ko`zko`wna, virgin, martyr, (1898-1915)
  44. Saint Kazimierz, prince, (1458-1484)
  45. Saint Kinga (or Kunegunda), princess, (1234-1292)
  46. Saint Klemens Hofbauer, priest (1751-1820) (Austrian, spent over 20 years in Poland since 1787)
  47. Blessed Kolumba Janina Matylda Gabriel, sister, (1858 - 1926) . Founder of Bernardine Sisters of Love.
  48. Blessed Konstanty Bojko, married, martyr, (1825-1874, Pratulin)
  49. Blessed Konstanty L`ukaszuk, married, martyr, (1829-1874, Pratulin)
  50. Saint Krystyn, hermit, martyr, (????-1003)
  51. Blessed L`ukasz Bojko, bachelor, martyr, (1852-1874, Pratulin)
  52. Blessed Maksym Hawryluk, married, martyr, (1840-1874, Pratulin)
  53. Saint Maksymilian Kolbe , priest, friar, martyr, (1894-1941 KL Auschwitz) ( biography in Polish)
  54. Blessed Marcelina Darowska, sister, (1827-1911)
  55. Blessed Mother Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, Franciszka Siedliska, sister, (Nov.12, 1842 - Nov. 21, 1902) (beatified on the 23rd of April, 1989 ) She is the foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.
  56. Blessed Mother Maria Angela Truszkowska, sister, (1825-1899),
    She is the foundress of the Felician Sisters who are in Poland, North and South America, and in Africa.
  57. Blessed Maria Karl`owska, sister, (1865-1935)
    She is the foundress of the God's Mercy Sisters
  58. Blessed Maria Teresa Ledo`chowska, sister, (1863-1922)
  59. Saint Mateusz, hermit, martyr, (????-1003)
  60. Michal` Giedroyc`, called Blessed , XV century
  61. Blessed Michal` Kozal, bishop, martyr, (1893-1943,KL Dachau)
  62. Blessed Michal` Wawryszuk, married, martyr, (1853-1874, Pratulin)
  63. Saint Melchior Grodziecki, priest, martyr, (1582-1619)
  64. Blessed Onufry Wasyluk, married, martyr, (1853-1874, Pratulin)
  65. Saint Otto, bishop, (1060-1139)
    missionary of Pomerania
  66. Radzim- Gaudenty,called Blessed, bishop (???-1011)
    Younger brother of Saint Wojciech. He was the first archbishop of Gniezno.
  67. Blessed Rafal` Chylin`ski, priest, friar, (1694-1741)
  68. Saint Rafal` Kalinowski, priest, (1835-1907)
  69. Blessed Regina Protman, sister (1552-1613),
    foundress of Catharine sisters
  70. Blessed Rycheza (Ryksa) (+1063), Queen, wife of the King Mieszko II [21.5]
    --
    Sadok and 49 other Dominican Martyrs killed by Tartars during an invasion in Sandomierz.
  71. Blessed Sadok , przeor, friar, martyr (????-1260)
  72. Blessed Pawe3 wikariusz, friar, martyr (????-1260)
  73. Blessed Malachiasz priest, kaznodzieja friar, martyr (????-1260)
  74. Blessed Abel, priest, syndyk, friar, martyr (????-1260)
  75. Blessed Szymon,priest, spowiednik friar, martyr (????-1260)
  76. Blessed Klemens, piest, friar, martyr (????-1260)
  77. Blessed Eliasz, priest friar, martyr (????-1260)
  78. Blessed Barnaba, piest friar, martyr (????-1260)
  79. Blessed Bart3omiej priest friar, martyr (????-1260)
  80. Blessed Lukasz, priest friar, martyr (????-1260)
  81. Blessed Mateusz, priest friar, martyr (????-1260)
  82. Blessed Jan Barnaba(II), priest friar, martyr (????-1260)
  83. Blessed Bart3omiej priest II friar, martyr (????-1260)
  84. Blessed Lukasz, priest II friar, martyr (????-1260)
  85. Blessed Mateusz, priest II friar, martyr (????-1260)
  86. Blessed Jan, priest friar, martyr (????-1260)
  87. Blessed Filip, priest friar, martyr (????-1260)
  88. Blessed Joachim, diakon friar, martyr (????-1260)
  89. Blessed Józef, diakon friar, martyr (????-1260)
  90. Blessed Szczepan, diakon friar, martyr (????-1260)
  91. Blessed Moj?esz, subdiakon friar, martyr (????-1260)
  92. Blessed Abraham, subdiakon friar, martyr (????-1260)
  93. Blessed Bazyli, subdiakon friar, martyr (????-1260)
  94. Blessed Dawid, kleryk friar, martyr (????-1260)
  95. Blessed Aaron, kleryk friar, martyr (????-1260)
  96. Blessed Benedykt, kleryk friar, martyr (????-1260)
  97. Blessed Onufry, kleryk friar, martyr (????-1260)
  98. Blessed Dominik, kleryk friar, martyr (????-1260)
  99. Blessed Micha3, kleryk friar, martyr (????-1260)
  100. Blessed Maciej, kleryk friar, martyr (????-1260)
  101. Blessed Maurus, kleryk friar, martyr (????-1260)
  102. Blessed Tymoteusz, kleryk friar, martyr (????-1260)
  103. Blessed Gordian, brat friar, martyr (????-1260)
  104. Blessed Felicjan, brat friar, martyr (????-1260)
  105. Blessed Marek, brat friar, martyr (????-1260)
  106. Blessed Jan, brat friar, martyr (????-1260)
  107. Blessed Gerwazy, brat friar, martyr (????-1260)
  108. Blessed Krzysztof, brat friar, martyr (????-1260)
  109. Blessed Donat, brat friar, martyr (????-1260)
  110. Blessed Medard, brat friar, martyr (????-1260)
  111. Blessed Walentyn, brat friar, martyr (????-1260)
  112. Blessed Daniel, nowicjusz friar, martyr (????-1260)
  113. Blessed Tobiasz, nowicjusz friar, martyr (????-1260)
  114. Blessed Makary, nowicjusz friar, martyr (????-1260)
  115. Blessed Rafa3, nowicjusz friar, martyr (????-1260)
  116. Blessed Emanuel, nowicjusz friar, martyr (????-1260)
  117. Blessed Izajasz, nowicjusz friar, martyr (????-1260)
  118. Blessed Cyryl, braciszek, krawiec friar, martyr (????-1260)
  119. Blessed Jeremiasz, braciszek, szewc friar, martyr (????-1260)
  120. Blessed Tomasz, braciszek, organista friar, martyr (????-1260)

    --
  121. Blessed Salomea, princess, (1210-1268)
  122. Saint Sebastian Pelczar , bishop, (1842-1924)
  123. Stanisl`aw Kazimierczyk, called Blessed , (1422-1489)
  124. Saint Stanisl`aw Kostka, friar, (1550-1568)
  125. Saint Stanisl`aw Szczepanowski, bishop, martyr, (1030-1079) (in Polish)
  126. Blessed Stefan Wincenty Frelichowski. , priest, martyr (1913-1945 KL Dachau)
  127. S`wie`tosl`aw from Sl`awkowo, called Blessed , XV century
  128. Blessed Szymon from Lipnica, friar, (1437-1482)
  129. Saint Urszula Ledo`chowska, sister, (1865-1939)
  130. Blessed Wincenty Kadl`ubek, bishop, (1160-1223)
  131. Blessed Wincenty Lewoniuk, married, martyr, (1849-1874, Pratulin)
  132. Wit called Blessed, bishop (+1269)
  133. Blessed Wl`adysl`aw from Gielniow, friar, (1440-1504)
  134. Saint Wl`adysl`aw (1040-1095), the king (of Hungary) [27.6.]
  135. Saint Wojciech, bishop, martyr, (956-997)

    He, of Czech origin, was active in many European countries: Czechia, Italy, Germany, France, Poland, and was killed while bringing Good News to Prussia. His remains were bought from the Prussians by Polish king Bolesl`aw Chrobry for gold and were burried in the Cathedral of Gniezno. ( read more in Polish here and here )

    Blessed 108 martyrs of world war two (see biographies and collective image )


  136. Blessed Mieczysl`aw Bohatkiewicz, priest (1904-4.3.1942 shot in Berezwecz)
  137. Blessed Alojzy Liguda, friar, priest (1898-1942 KL Dachau)
  138. Blessed Jo`zef Jankowski, friar,priest, (1910 born in Czyczkowy near Brusy-16.10.1941, died in German death camp Auschwitz beaten by kapo)
  139. Blessed Adam Bargielski, priest (1903-1942 KL Dachau)
  140. Blessed Aleksy Sobaszek, priest (1895-1942 KL Dachau)
  141. Blessed Alfons Mazurek, friar,priest (1891-1944, shot to death in Nawojowa Go`ra)
  142. Blessed Alicja Maria Jadwiga Kotowska, sister (1899-1939)
  143. Blessed Anastazy Jakub Pankiewicz, friar, priest (1882-1942 KL Dachau)
  144. Blessed Anicet Koplin`ski, priest, friar (1875-1941 KL Auschwitz)
  145. Blessed abp Antoni Julian Nowowiejski (1858-1841, German death camp Dzialdowo),
  146. Blessed Antoni Beszta-Borowski, priest (1880-15.7.1943)
  147. Blessed Antoni Leszczewicz, friar,priest (1890-1943, burnt to death in Rosica)
  148. Blessed Antoni Rewera, priest (1868-1942 KL Dachau)
  149. Blessed Antoni S`wiadek, priest (1909-25.1.1945 KL Dachau)
  150. Blessed Antoni Zawistowski, priest (1882-1942 KL Dachau)
  151. Blessed Bolesl`aw Strzelecki,priest (1896-1941, German death camp Auschwitz)
  152. Blessed Bronisl`aw Komorowski, priest (1889-22.3.1940 KL Stutthof)
  153. Blessed Bronisl`aw Kostkowski, alumnus (1915-1942 KL Dachau)
  154. Blessed Brunon Zembol, friar (1905-1922 KL Dachau)
  155. Blessed Mr. Czesl`aw Jo`z`wiak (1919-1942 guillotined in a prison in Dresden),
  156. Blessed Dominik Je`drzejewski, priest (1886-1942 KL Dachau)
  157. Blessed Edward Detkens, priest (1885-1942 KL Dachau)
  158. Blessed Edward Grzymal`a, priest (1906-1942 KL Dachau)
  159. Blessed Mr. Edward Kaz`mierski (1919-1942 guillotined in a prison in Dresden),
  160. Blessed Mr. Edward Klinik (1919-1942 guillotined in a prison in Dresden),
  161. Blessed Emil Szramek, priest (1887-1942 KL Dachau)
  162. Blessed Ewa Noiszewska, sister (1885-1942, executed at Góra Pietrelewicka in Sl`onim)
  163. Blessed FIDELIS Chojnacki, friar (1906-1942 KL Dachau)
  164. Blessed Florian Ste`pniak, friar, priest (1912-1942 KL Dachau)
  165. Blessed Mr. Franciszek Ke`sy (1920-1942 guillotined in a prison in Dresden),
  166. Blessed Franciszek Drzewiecki, friar, priest (1908-1942 KL Dachau)
  167. Blessed Franciszek Dachtera, priest (1910-23.8.1942 KL Dachau)
  168. Blessed Franciszek Rogaczewski, priest (1892-11.1.1940)
  169. Blessed Franciszek Rosl`aniec, priest (1889-1942 KL Dachau)
  170. Blessed Mr. Franciszek Stryjas, father of a family, (1882-31.7.1944 prison in Kalisz)
  171. Blessed Grzegorz Bolesl`aw Fra`ckowiak, friar (1911-1943 guillotined in Dresden)
  172. Blessed Henryk Hlebowicz, priest (1904-1941 shot in Borysewo)
  173. Blessed Henryk Kaczorowski, priest (1888-1942 KL Dachau)
  174. Blessed Henryk Krzysztofik, friar, priest (1908-1942 KL Dachau)
  175. Blessed Hilary Pawel` Januszewski, friar, priest (1907-1945 KL Dachau)
  176. Blessed Jan Antonin Bajewski, friar, priest (1915-1941 KL Auschwitz)
  177. Blessed Jan Nepomucen Chrzan, priest (1885-1942 KL Dachau)
  178. Blessed Mr. Jarogniew Wojciechowski (1922-1942 guillotined in a prison in Dresden).
  179. Blessed Jerzy Kaszyra, friar,priest (1910-1943, burnt to death in Rosica),
  180. Blessed Jo`zef Cebula, friar, priest (1902-1941 KL Mauthausen)
  181. Blessed Jo`zef Czempiel, priest (1883-1942 KL Mauthausen)
  182. Blessed Jo`zef Kowalski, friar, priest (1911-1942 KL Auschwitz)
  183. Blessed Jo`zef Kurzawa, priest (1910-1940)
  184. Blessed Jo`zef Kut, priest (1905-1942 KL Dachau)
  185. Blessed Jo`zef Pawl`owski, priest (1890-9.1.1942 KL Dachau)
  186. Blessed Jo`zef Stanek, friar, priest (1916-23.9.1944, mudered in Warsaw after tortures by Germans in Warsaw)
  187. Blessed Jo`zef Straszewski, priest (1885-1942 KL Dachau)
  188. Blessed Jo`zef Zapl`ata, friar (1904-1945 KL Dachau)
  189. Blessed Jo`zef Achilles Puchal`a, friar, priest (1911-1943)
  190. Blessed Jo`zef Innocenty Guz, friar, priest (1890-1940 KL Sachsenhausen)
  191. Blessed Julia Rodzin`ska, sister (1899-20.2.1945 died in German death camp Stutthof)
  192. Blessed Katarzyna Celestyna Faron, sister (1913-1944 KL Auschwitz) for info in English click here: Little Servant Sisters Home Page
  193. Blessed Karol Herman Ste`pien`, friar, priest (1910-1943)
  194. Blessed Kazimierz Gostyn`ski, priest (1884-1942 KL Dachau)
  195. Blessed Kazimierz Grelewski, priest (1907-1942 KL Dachau)
  196. Blessed Kazimierz Sykulski, priest (1882-1942 KL Auschwitz)
  197. Blessed Krystyn Gondek, friar, priest (1909-1942)
  198. Blessed bp Leon Wetman`ski(1886-1941, German death camp Dzialdowo),
  199. Blessed Leon Nowakowski, priest (1913-1939)
  200. Blessed Ludwik Gietyngier, priest (1904-30.11.1941 KL Dachau)
  201. Blessed Ludwik Mzyk, friar, priest (1905-1940)
  202. Blessed Ludwik Pius Bartosik, friar, priest (1909-1941 KL Auschwitz)
  203. Blessed Maksymilian Binkiewicz, priest (1913-24.7.1942, beaten died in German death camp Dachau)
  204. Blessed Marcin Oprza`dek, friar (1884-1942 KL Dachau)
  205. Blessed Maria Antonina Kratochwil, sister (1881-1942)
  206. Blessed Maria Klemensa Staszewska, sister (1890-1943 KL Auschwitz)
  207. Blessed Marian Go`recki, priest (1903-22.3.1940 KL Stutthof)
  208. Blessed Marian Konopin`ski, priest (1907-1.1.1943 KL Dachau)
  209. Blessed Marian Skrzypczak, priest (1909-1939 shot in Plonkowo)
  210. Blessed Mrs. Marianna Biernacka (1888-1943) that offered her life for her unborn grand child and was executed instead of it on July 13th, 1943,
  211. Blessed Marta Wol`owska, sister (1879-1942, executed at Góra Pietrelewicka in Sl`onim)
  212. Blessed Michal` Czartoryski, friar, priest (1897-1944)
  213. Blessed Michal` Ozie`bl`owski, priest (1900-1942 KL Dachau)
  214. Blessed Michal` Piaszczyn`ski, priest (1885-1940 KL Sachsenhausen)
  215. Blessed Michal` Woz`niak, priest (1875-1942 KL Dachau)
  216. Blessed Mieczysl`awa Kowalska, siter (1902-1941 KL Dzial`dowo)
  217. Blessed Narcyz Putz, priest (1877-1942 KL Dachau)
  218. Blessed Narcyz Turchan, friar, priest (1879-1942 KL Dachau)
  219. Blessed Mrs. Natalia Tul`asiewicz (1906-31.3.1945 died in German death camp Ravensbrück, in a gas chamber), a teacher
  220. Blessed Piotr Bonifacy Z|ukowski, friar (1913-1942 KL Auschwitz)
  221. Blessed Piotr Edward Dan`kowski, priest (1908-3.4.1942 KL Auschwitz)
  222. Blessed Roman Archutowski, priest (1882-1943 KL Majdanek)
  223. Blessed Roman Sitko, priest (1880-1942 KL Auschwitz)
  224. Blessed Stanisl`aw Kubista, friar, priest (1898-1940 KL Sachsenhausen)
  225. Blessed Stanisl`aw Kubski, friar, priest (1876-1942 KL Dachau)
  226. Blessed Stanisl`aw Mysakowski, priest (1896-1942 KL Dachau)
  227. Blessed Stanisl`aw Pyrtek, priest (1913-4.3.1942 shot in Berezwecz)
  228. Blessed Stanisl`aw Starowieyski, father of a family (1895-13.4.1940/1 KL Dachau)
  229. Blessed Stanisl`aw Tymoteusz Trojanowski, friar (1908-1942 KL Auschwitz)
  230. Blessed Stefan Grelewski, priest (1899-1941 KL Dachau)
  231. Blessed Symforian Ducki, friar (1888-1942 KL Auschwiitz)
  232. Blessed Tadeusz Dulny, alumnus (1914-1942 KL Dachau)
  233. Blessed Wincenty Matuszewski, priest (1869-1940)
  234. Blessed bp Wl`adysl`aw Go`ral,(1898-1945 KL Sachsenhausen)
  235. Blessed Wl`adysl`aw Bl`a`dzin`ski, friar, priest (1908-1944)
  236. Blessed Wl`adysl`aw Demski, priest (1884-28.5.1940, German death camp Sachsenhausen)
  237. Blessed Wl`adysl`aw Mac`kowiak, priest (1910-4.3.1942 shot in Berezwecz)
  238. Blessed Wl`adysl`aw Ma`czkowski, priest (1911-20.8.1942 KL Dachau)
  239. Blessed Wl`adysl`aw Miegon`, priest, commandor leutnant (1892-1942 KL Dachau)
  240. Blessed Wl`odzimierz Laskowski, priest (1886-1940 KL Gusen)
  241. Blessed Wojciech Nierychlewski, friar, priest (1903-1942 KL Auschwitz)
  242. Blessed Zygmunt Pisarski, priest (1902-1943)
  243. Blessed Zygmunt Sajna, priest (1897-1940 prison Palmiry)

    Blessed 11 sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Martyrs of Nowogro`dek (Sister Mary Stella and her Ten Companions) (+ 1.8.1943), killed by gestapo (German Geheim-Staats-Polizei) - they died in exchange for 120 citizens of Nowogro`dek

  244. Blessed Boromea Narmontowicz (1916 -1943)
  245. Blessed Daniela Jo`z`wik (????--1943)
  246. Blessed Felicyta Borowik (????--1943)
  247. Blessed Gwidona Cierpka, (????--1943)
  248. Blessed Heliodora Matuszewska, (????--1943)
  249. Blessed Imelda Z|ak (1892-1943)
  250. Blessed Kanizja Mackiewicz (1903-1943)
  251. Blessed Kanuta Chrobot (1896-1943)
  252. Blessed Rajmunda Kukol`owicz (????--1943)
  253. Blessed Sergia Rapiej (????--1943)
  254. Blessed Stella Mardosewicz, (????--1943)

  255. Saint abp Józef Bilczewski, bishop, (26.04.1860-20.03.1923) [beat.JP II, kanon.Benedykt XVI, 2005]
  256. Saint Zygmunt Gorazdowski, priest, (1.11.1845-1.1.1920) [beat.JP II, kanon.Benedykt XVI, 2005]
  257. Blessed Michalina Jozafata Hordaszewska, sister, (20.11.1869-7.4.1919) (Greek-Catholic)
  258. Blessed bp Miko3aj Myko3a Czernecki (-1959) (Greek-Catholic)
  259. Blessed bp Wasyl Welyczkowski, bishop, martyr (+30.7.1973, after three years of soviet labor camp for listening to Vatican Radio ) (Greek-Catholic)
  260. Blessed bp Grzegorz Hryhorij Lakota, bishop, martyr, (+1950 in soviet concentration camp Abez near Workuta) (Greek-Catholic)
  261. Blessed bp Jozafat Kocy3owski (+ Nov. 1947 in a soviet concentration camp in Syberia) (Greek-Catholic)
  262. Blessed bp Nikita Budka, bishop, martyr (+1949 in a soviet concentration camp in Karaganda) (Greek-Catholic)
  263. Blessed bp Grzegorz (Hrihorij) Chomyszyn, bishop, martyr (+Jan.1948 in soviet prison in Kiev) (Greek-Catholic)
  264. Blessed bp Iwan Latyszewski, (+1955, two years after returning from a ten year stay in a soviet labor camp in Syberia) (Greek-Catholic)
  265. Blessed bp Iwan Sleziuk (+1973) (Greek-Catholic)
  266. Blessed Zenon Kowalik, friar, priest (Greek-Catholic)
  267. Blessed Iwan Ziatyk, friar, priest (Greek-Catholic)
  268. Blessed Emilian Kowacz, priest, martyr (+1944 in German death camp Majdanek) (Greek-Catholic)
  269. Blessed Jan Balicki, priest (1869-1948) [NEW]
  270. Blessed Sancja Janina Szymkowiak, sister (1910- 1942)
  271. Blessed Jan Beyzym SJ, priest, friar (1850-1912)
  272. Blessed Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski, archbishop (1822-1895)
  273. Blessed August Czartoryski, (2.8.1858-8.4.1893), duke, priest
  274. Blessed Father Ignacy Kl`opotowski (1866 - 1931), catholic mass media developer [beat.Benedykt XVI]
  275. Blessed Father Władysław Findysz, (1907-1964), martyr, prosecuted for promotion of family and insisting on fullfilling parental duties by wife and husband [beat.Benedykt XVI]
  276. Blessed Father Bronisław Markiewicz (1842-1912), promotor of soberty, educator of youth, educating local communities in technologies [beat.Benedykt XVI]
  277. Blessed Jan Łobdowczyk (+9.10.1264), friar
You may wish to inspect other countries' list of Saints , , and still another list of Saints with biographies

The Holy See is considering further cases of Polish Catholics that with their lives presented extraordinary witness of their Catholic faith. Some of them may be read about on the internet:

  1. Father Anzelm of Saint Andrew Corsini OCD(Maciej Ga`dek 1884-1969)
  2. Wanda Malczewska (1822-1896)
  3. Stanisl`awa Leszczyn`ska (1896-1974)
  4. Father Anastazy Jakub Pankiewicz OFM (1882-1942)
  5. Stefan II Cardinal Wyszyn`ski, (+1981)
  6. August Cardinal Hlond, (+1948)
  7. Father Franciszek Blachnicki (1921-1987)
  8. Father Michal` Sopoc`ko (1888-1975).
  9. Father Jerzy Popieluszko (19??-1984)
  10. Father Serafin Kaszuba (1910-1977)
  11. Father Stanisl`aw Papczyn`ski, (1631-1701).
  12. Romuald Traugutt(????-1863)
  13. Father Michal Tomaszek, martyr of Peru (+9.8.1991)
  14. Father Zbigniew Strzal'kowski, martyr of Peru (+9.8.1991)
  15. Father Ignacy Jan Skorupka, martyr (1893-1920)
  16. 123 Martyrs of World War Two

8. Sanctuaries

a random selection

9. Apparitions of Maria and Jesus in Poland

Consult also other Apparitions of Mary and Jesus in the world .

10. Catholic Universities and Academies in Poland

11. Catholic Mass Media in Poland

(random lists)

On Internet

News Agencies

For Church news from Rome see the official Vatican Information Service

Daily Papers

Journals

There are over 100 journals, with local audience, usually.

Radio

Some 100 local stations, covering very small areas. A selection below REMARK: Recently, a Radio Plus network has been created out of several above-mentioned local stations. They share some common programme and have local slots.

News from the World (in several languages) can be heard on WWW from Vatican Radio. You may also listen to the
[EWTN]

Television

For a world-wide Catholic television network see Eternal World Television Network (in English and Spanish).

12. A Brief History of Church in Poland

Poland was christianized in 966, as the Prince Mieszko the First (baptized onApril 14th, 996) ruled Poland. A few years later the first archdiocese has been established in Gniezno, on the grave of the bishop martyr Saint Wojciech who died as a missionary in Prussia on April 23rd, 997, The first archbishop of Gniezno was his brother, Blessed Radzim-Gaudenty.
Church played an important role in the integration of the country and in its spiritual, economical, administrative and scientific development. Church institutions founded primary schools and universities (e.g. the first university in central, northern and eastern Europe: the Cracow - later Jagellonian - University, 1364, and later the University of Vilnus), taught the peasants (by-that-time) modern methods of farming. Church administration of the country was a model for modern state administration. The Church sposored scientific research in mathematics and natural sciences: just to mention Mikol`aj Kopernik, Marcin Polak from Opawa, Witelo Ciol`ek from Wrocl`aw.
Also arts were supported by the Church, both builders of beautiful churches and composers like Wacl`aw from Szamotul`y, Marcin Lwowczyk, and Mikol`aj Gomo`l`ka.
Rulers of Poland recognized the importance of Catholicism for spiritual and economical development of Poland, though they frequently didn't want to subordinate themselves to christian teaching of morality. This gave rise to various conflicts between kings and the Church, killing of the bishop of Cracow, Saint Stanislaw, XIth century, by a king who couldn't stand the criticism of his unfaithfulness towards his wife, was one of prominent examples.
In 12th century the bishops of Poland made strong statements in defence of peasants threthening with excommunication to those big land owners that oppressed the peasants.
The office of Primate of Poland (bound to archbishops of Gniezno), established in the XVth century, has been the symbol of continuity of Polish state, especially in the time of elected kings, as the Primate was the interreggio after the death of a king and before the next one has been elected.
Intrinsic Catholicism in Poland protected the country from religious wars and religious intolerance. The teaching on unconditional love of the neighbour resulted in intrinsically equal treatment of all the nations living in the multinational state, including various national minorities escaping from western Europe because of their prosecution in those countries. In 1410, Polish army defeated a united west european army of fanatics that wanted to exterminate prussian and lithuanian tribes because they were still not baptised. Polish bishops insisted on and passed through the doctrine that the christian faith can only be spread by peaceful means of arguments and not using military force (during Trident Council, 1545-1543).
Two priests acting in Poland after that Council are worth mentioning: Jakub Wujek, the first translator of the whole Bible into Polish, and Piotr Skarga, engaged in improving moral qualities of the politicians of that time.
The spirit of intrinsic christianity in Poland caused that even after the first partition of Poland (XVIIIth century) Jews were running away from Austrian, German and Russian occupation zones to the still free part of Poland because Poland offered them religious freedom.
It is worth mentioning that the Pope Klemens XIV protested against the partition of Poland.
During partition of Poland (1795-1918), as Poland stopped existing on the maps of the wworld, the office of the Primate of Poland was retained by the Holy See making the occupying powers angry. Polish has been retained as the language of prayers in churches and of religious teaching in partitioned Poland. The occupying powers considered Catholic Church as the main enemy and numerous priests and even bishops were imprisoned, sent to Siberia. Churches were closed or destroyed. Ordinary people were ill-treated to force them to change their confession, at least hundreds have been murdered for holding to Catholic Church (one example are the martyrs of Pratulin 1874). Publication of religious books was hampered and sometimes forbidden.
The Church was one of major factors in reunification of Poland in 1918 after defeat of occupying powers in world war one.
The Catholic Church in Poland had to suffer most during the second world war from the German nazi state. In many dioeceses more than 90% of all Catholic priests have been killed - in German death camps and in the street. Symbols of that time are martyrs Blessed bishop Michal` Kozal and the Saint priest Maksymilian Kolbe. Still, under these terror conditions, the oppressed Church made tremendous efforts to save life of hundreds of thousands of oppressed people, especially Jews, who got from the Church new identity papers (hiding their Jewish origin) or even found shelter in monasteries and priest schools - all at risk of losing life by clergymen. The people found spiritual strength to survive psychologically that awful time only by attending Church services and by prayers. It has been reported that on Christmas Eves during the war some people went to occupant soldiers in the street with Christmas wafers wishing them merry and peaceful Christmas. Germans were both surprised and moved by this gesture of a christian nation.
The importance of the Church for Polish identity grew in communist times (1945-1989). Countless priests have been murdered and numerous bishops (including Stefan Cardinal Wyszyn`ski, the Primate of Poland) have been imprisoned in 1950ties. Publication of Catholic journals and newspapers was banned. Catholic organizations were dissolved. Bishops were not allowed to do their job as diocese shepherds. Catholics were not allowed to hold any higher ranking administrative positions, to be military officers, factory directors etc. Though later Poland had a prominent period of religious freedom, several more priests have been murdered (The case of priest Jerzy Popiel`uszko is best known, but not the only one).
After 1989, the Catholic Church remains a sign of contradiction. Dozens of priests have been killed and their murderers never found. Hundreds of Catholic cemeteries are being destroyed, churches robbed out, profaned, set on fire, and the bandits are never punished.

It should be mentioned that not only Poland benefited from teachings of Catholic Church, but it also contributed much in support of universal mission of the Church. Polish army defended the freedom of faith of Catholics all over Europe by stopping Tartar (Battle of Legnica, 1241), Swedish (Defense of Jasna Gora, 1656), Turkish (Battle of Vienna, 1683) and Soviet (Battle of Vistula, 1920) floods.
Polish Catholics made efforts, though with partial success only, to reunite the splitted christianity: they started religious dialog both with the protestant churches and the orthodox churches. In 1596, the so-called Brzes`c`/Brest Union was achieved between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church (the Greek Catholic Church has been established). Many orthodox bishops and large numbers of parishes in Poland, Lithuania and Russia joined the Catholic Church by recognizing the Pope as the head of the Church while keeping their liturgic and legal traditions. Regrettedly ambitions of politicians who used even military force to prevent people from joining the Catholic Church made the further progress of reuniting christianity impossible.
Also in the 17th century a union of Ormians living in Poland with the Catholic Church was achieved.
Over the last two centuries Polish missionaries carried the Good News to the nations of Africa, Asia, and America. They brought there also general and professional education, health care, frequently sacrificing their lives killed by enemies of the church and by illnesses the people suffered from in those poor countries.
The missionary engagement outside of Europe started already in the 17th century with jesuit friars Andrzej Rudomin, Mikol`aj Smogulecki and Michal` Boym, and the martyr Wojciech Me`cin`ski worked in the Far East. This engagement is continued till present day. On of the outstanding examples is the recently nominated Adam Cardinal Kozlowiecki , who acts as a missionary in Zambia for several decades now.
Poland gave the Church many Saints, martyrs for the faith.
The current Pope, John Paul II, the great Pope of this century, grew up in Poland and suffered here from the "strengths" of capitalism (during the big economical crisis of 1930ies) the hitlerian socialism (during nazi occupation 1939-45) and the stalinist socialism (1940ies and 1950ies) and experienced the strong Catholic faith the people here had as the only weapon to handle these dreadful times. Whenever His Holiness writes encyclicals in defense of human dignity, against poverty and mishandling of people, calling for conversion to Catholic faith, for praying and trusting God, He is not making any political propaganda, but is speaking from His personal experience.
The Church benevolent organization Caritas Poland, legalized anew after 1989, is engaged in bringing relief to many nations plagued by hunger and shortage of medical care all over the world.
Poland was the place of several Church events of world-wide importance and with world-wide attendance. Jasna Go`ra, the major Marian sanctuary of Poland, for centuries already visited by pilgrims from countless European countries, hosted in 1991 the World Youth Day, attended by the Pope. Wrocl`aw, a city in western part of Poland, is the place of the 46th International Eucharistic Congress in the year 1997.

Nowadays the administrative structure of the Catholic Church in Poland (since 1993) consists of 13 archdioceses and of 29 dioceses. There is a field diocese and an archdiocese and a diocese for Bysanthic-Ukrainian Rythus. We have over 150 bishops and archbishops, some 20,000 priests, more than 90% of the population has been baptized in Catholic Church. More than 20% of people go to church regularly (every Sunday).

In this world of hatred against the Church, vicious capaigns against various sections of the society, against other nations, the Church holds firm to the teaching of Jesus Christ, preaches love and forgiving of crimes of others against us, teaches us how to love our country, teaches to shake hands in a gesture of peace and forgiveness with our neighbours both from the west, and the east, and the south and the north. She teaches us on christian common roots of all the Europe, but also not to restrict our love to the white race but rather lets us care for the well-being of all the mankind.

13. Church architecture

15. Catholic tradition in Poland

The faith of Polish people influences deeply their daily life. Before cutting a bread for the first time, the sign of cross is made over it. If one visits relatives, one greets them with "Be praised Jesus Christ" upon entering their house.
Religious events like Christmas or Easter are firm part of family life.
Though new forms of expression of faith like new prayers, new songs, new forms of religious organizations find their way into Polish society, one can claim that in a way the faith of Polish people is very traditional. Especially on Christmas religious carols are song, passed from generation to generation - some of them for 800 years now, as researchers claim. The kids get their religious education usually from their own parents or grand-parents.
No wonder that there is also a number of people attending traditional Latin language Holy Messes, with permission of the Primate of Poland (Decree Nr 944/A/96).

Also there exist several WWW pages devoted to the Latin Mess.

Why is keeping the tradition good ?
Well, the Church is universal, over space and time. It carries the same message, the Good News, for 2000 years. It only improves its capabilities to convey it to the people. To keep tradition means to keep in mind what the Church has learned so far so that nothing needs to be reinvented.
Obviously, keeping in mind the tradition is one good thing, but looking for better ways for carrying the message is another good thing. Both have to be well-balanced. That is what the Pope, the bishops, the priests and the laymen were and are always doing and doing it well. But to avoid errors, the last word must be that of the Pope (see Motu Proprio Ecclesia Dei of the Pope John Paul II ).

16. Monasteries

For monasteries in Poland visit pages:
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This page is maintained by Mieczyslaw A. Klopotek. <klopotek@ipipan.waw.pl>