Relations of Solidarity Movement with the Apostolic See, as Evidenced by Archival Documents of the Secretariat of Conference of the Polish Episcopate. Selected Issues

Abstract

This article attempts to present the reader with several interesting but tragic facts from Polish history in the context of the formation of the Solidarity Movement and the unlawful establishment of Martial Law in Poland in 1981. These circumstances have a connection with numerous contacts of this independent movement with the Pope John Paul II, Apostolic See and Catholic Church in Poland. These turbulent events have been recorded in numerous documens, which survive until today in the archives of the Secretariat of the Conference of the Polish Episcopate, Warsaw. There is correspondence of Solidarity activists with the Pope. There is also an earnest appeal of the worried Pope to General Wojciech Jaruzelski, following the introduction of Martial Law in Poland. The documentation also features a great many of poignant letters written by ordinary people who believed at the time that it would be soon possible to live in a good and just country, free from fratricidal fights, imprisonment or tears of the dearest. This article presents other interesting commentaries and documents from that period, apart from those found in the archives. The reader is reminded of the 30th anniversary of the creation of Solidarity and introduction of Martial Law in Poland. It was in this significant year 2011 that the Holy Father, John Paul II, joined the ranks of the blessed of the Catholic Church, who was very concerned with the fate of his beloved Mother Country.