POLAND
Cardinal Józef Glemp (b. 1929), primate of Poland since 1981 (until 2009) and – until 2007 – archbishop and apostolic administrator of Warsaw, retired on December 6 retired. “We want to thank you all the good you have done during all this time” – said Msgr. Slawoj Leszek Glodz addressing himself to Card. Glemp during a solemn Eucharistic celebration to thank him for his service throughout the years, officiated in Saint Micheal Archangel Cathedral in Warsaw – Prague. In his address Msgr. Glodz described primate Glemp as a “testimony and teacher of hope”, pointing out that in his pastoral service “he was a servant who was mostly concerned of others”. Msgr. Glodz, remembering the priesthood years of the Cardinal, highlighted the value of his attitude when on December 13, 1981 the Communist regime introduced the martial law. “It is worthwhile recalling the special testimony of the primate in those hours. His appeal to saving lives, and against shedding fraternal blood, pronounced already on December 13, from the Madonna of Grace sanctuary, in the heart of the old city of Warsaw. That appeal to reason, also at the price of exposing himself to insults and humiliation, ‘pronounced on his knees’ to the Poles that they may not fight one another”.
