The document “Truth and Responsibility” was recently published by the theological and pastoral Commission “Memory and solicitude” of the archdiocese of Krakow, dedicated to the divulging of information on collaborators of the Communist secret services. The document, stressed the chairman of the Commission, Bishop Jan Szkodon, is aimed at tackling the risk “of compromising the dignity and good name of individuals”. Lustracja , i.e. the verification of cases of collusion with the secret services of the former Communist regime, says the document, “though necessary, ought not to be conducted in an atmosphere of settling old scores and vendetta, but in the Christian spirit of repentance, forgiveness and reparation of the wrong”. To those who receive information on possible cases of collusion is asked “a careful evaluation of the sources”, i.e. the files compiled by agents of the secret services, bearing in mind that they are “by their very nature flawed”. “The information gathering [of the secret services] was itself immoral – says the document – since it had the purpose of suborning individuals and society as a whole”. The objective of those who gathered the information “was neither the good of the persons investigated, nor that of the country”, but “the safeguarding of the interests of the totalitarian regime and the security of those persons who had risen to power and did not want to lose it”. “Huge quantities of material – continues the document – were collected with ignoble methods, by means of blackmail and threats, profiting from the ignorance of people, but also unfortunately from the treason and weakness of some informers”. So, “great caution is needed in the evaluation” of such material. The document recalls that “love for our neighbour obliges us not to condemn anyone”. The Commission concludes by inviting those who divulge information on persons who colluded with the Communist secret services to be guided by the principles of truth, charity, justice and wisdom, bearing in mind that “slander and calumny destroy the reputation and honour of our fellowmen”.
