In these days, Father Zdzislaw Klafka, superior of redeemer fathers for the Province of Warsaw, after consulting with the superior general of the congregation, Father Joseph W. Tobin, published a declaration about alleged statements by the director of Radio Maryja in Poland, Father Tadeusz Rydzyk, known also to be the head of a group of mass media, as well as director of an important school for journalists and media operators. The words of Father Rydzyk, offending the president of the Republic of Poland and his wife, and with a highly anti-Semitic character, were published by a Polish weekly at the beginning of July, arousing indignation by the public opinion, not just in Poland. The publication shows a few fragments of the conferences which were likely held by Father Rydzyk in front of his students. In the declaration, it is pointed out that “the text of the recordings published by the media has the characteristics of manipulation”. “Father Tadeusz Rydzyk – it is further said in the declaration – does not identify himself with the anti-Semitic spirit ascribed to him. We know him as his brothers, and we know that such attitude is unknown to him. Furthermore, Father Rydzyk did not intend to offend any person, and the presidential couple in the least”. Moreover, Father Klafka expresses his regret that “the tendentious information published by some media (taking into consideration the doubtful authenticity of the recordings, concerning the alleged statements of Father Rydzyk) aroused even exaggerated comments by lots of personalities. And those comments, in absence of the other party’s opinion and without the will of pursuing objective truth, led to pass verdicts of conviction with respect to” the director of Radio Maryja. “Furthermore, our indignation is aroused by the fact that Polish mass media tried to influence the superior general of our congregation as much as they could, by insinuating that he should make ‘the final decision’ to punish Father Rydzyk in the next future, thus solving the problems linked with his numerous activities once and for all. Such information, broadcast by agencies, the press, radio stations and televisions, aroused great preoccupation, not just among the millions of people listening to Radio Maryja in Poland, but also abroad”, concluded Father Klafka.
