The President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference and the Primate of Poland, after seeing the film by Tomasz Sekielski on cases of abuses in the Church in Poland, issued a statement expressing how deeply moved and saddened he was.
“I was deeply moved and saddened when watching Mr. Sekielski’s film, and I would like to thank him for this film”, wrote Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki, President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, after the premiere of the film “Don’t Tell Anyone”. “I thank all those who have the courage to speak about their suffering», underscored archbishop Wojciech Polak, Primate of Poland, Delegate for the Protection of Children and Youth of the Polish Bishops’ Conference. The archbishops apologized for all injury inflicted by members of the Church.
Statement of the President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference after having watched a Tomasz Sekielski’s film
Today I was deeply moved and saddened when watching Mr. Sekielski’s film, and I would like to thank him for this film. For the most part, the message of the film corresponds to my experience gained during the many conversations I have held with the victims. I am convinced that this film, too, will result in an even more stringent compliance with the guidelines for the protection of children and young people in the Church, in the implementation by all bishops of prevention principles in each diocese, and in the compliance with the Motu proprio that Pope Francis promulgated the day before yesterday.
On behalf of the entire Bishops’ Conference, I would like all the victims to accept my sincere apologies; I realize that nothing can compensate them for the harms they have suffered.
Moreover, this film will definitely contribute to an even more severe condemnation of pedophilia, for which there can be no place in the Church. Some of the issues raised by the film had already been identified, others were unknown. The former must be re-examined, while processes should be started with respect to those previously unknown issues, so that the good of the victims may be protected first and foremost and above all else.
Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki
President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
Statement of the Delegate for the Protection of Children and Youth of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
“I was deeply moved and saddened when watching Mr. Sekielski’s film, and I would like to thank him for this film”, wrote Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki, President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, after the premiere of the film “Don’t Tell Anyone”. “I thank all those who have the courage to speak about their suffering», underscored archbishop Wojciech Polak, Primate of Poland, Delegate for the Protection of Children and Youth of the Polish Bishops’ Conference. The archbishops apologized for all injury inflicted by members of the Church.
Statement of the President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference after having watched a Tomasz Sekielski’s film
Today I was deeply moved and saddened when watching Mr. Sekielski’s film, and I would like to thank him for this film. For the most part, the message of the film corresponds to my experience gained during the many conversations I have held with the victims. I am convinced that this film, too, will result in an even more stringent compliance with the guidelines for the protection of children and young people in the Church, in the implementation by all bishops of prevention principles in each diocese, and in the compliance with the Motu proprio that Pope Francis promulgated the day before yesterday.
On behalf of the entire Bishops’ Conference, I would like all the victims to accept my sincere apologies; I realize that nothing can compensate them for the harms they have suffered.
Moreover, this film will definitely contribute to an even more severe condemnation of pedophilia, for which there can be no place in the Church. Some of the issues raised by the film had already been identified, others were unknown. The former must be re-examined, while processes should be started with respect to those previously unknown issues, so that the good of the victims may be protected first and foremost and above all else.
Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki
President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
Statement of the Delegate for the Protection of Children and Youth of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
I am deeply moved by what I saw in Tomasz Sekielski’s film.
The enormous suffering of people who have been hurt triggers pain and shame. At this moment, I also have before my eyes the drama of the victims whom I have met personally. I thank all those who have the courage to speak about their suffering.
I apologize for every wound inflicted by members of the Church.
As the Delegate for the Protection of Children and Youth of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, I will do everything in my power to help the victims.
The information disclosed shows how necessary the regulations of the latest document of Pope Francis (the Motu proprioVos estis lux mundi) are. All matters must be clarified. No one in the Church can avoid responsibility.
We must protect children and young people.
There is no other path for the Church.
Archbishop Wojciech Polak
Primate of Poland
Delegate of the Polish Bishops’ Conference for the Protection of Children and Youth
