” “"In Poland, the Church does no claim any privilege, but it demands respect for the independence provided by the Constitution and by the Concordat". This is stated by the Polish Bishops, who, at the end of their plenary session, which took place in Warsaw over the last few days, explain with these words the decision to establish a historical Committee that, "in cooperation with the existing diocesan commissions, will review the history of the persecution of the Church in Poland in the postwar period". "Before an organised opposition came to the fore in the country highlight the Bishops in a release , the Church defended the dignity of man and of the nation on its own, for years and years", thus becoming "the most persecuted and most abused institution". In a country which "is independent and democratic today", before 198, "the actions of the criminal machinery of the secret services of the communist state have forced both lay people and priests to cooperate, through threats and blackmailing. Only from this perspective warn the bishops can one legitimately consider each case" of "cooperation with the security services". "The Church cannot consent to a situation in which, without any juridical proceeding, public allegations damage the human dignity of the accused persons", conclude the Bishops, stating they are "on the side" of those people who "have been wronged".” “
