On the 100th anniversary of the birth of Archbishop Ignacy Tokarczuk, the Polish Parliament established the Metropolitan of Przemysl as one of the patrons of 2018.
During the conference "Archbishop Ignacy Tokarczuk - witness of history, witness of faith" Marshal Kuchciński emphasized that Archbishop Tokarczuk was one of the heroes who permanently inscribed in the Polish aspirations for independence, he was An extraordinary man, a steadfast advocate of independent Poland. He openly exposed the hypocrisy and actions directed against the violation of human rights and the Church. In his sermons he emphasized that "the Polish nation lives in abnormal times, and the system introduced by the communists is lawlessness dressed in the clothes of law.
The Marshal recalled that the Metropolitan loudly demanded the dignity and rights of the faithful, was a model of courage and uncompromising attitude, broke the barrier of fear of the communist security apparatus, and thanks to him, many opposition activists found not only spiritual and material help, but also inspiration to take further action.
There, in Przemyśl, with the Archbishop, the idea of an independent peasant movement was born. And it is safe to say that thanks to the Metropolitan, the Podkarpacie region became a place of independent and free thought that radiated throughout Poland.
Marek Kuchcinski emphasized that Father Bishop deeply instilled in hearts and minds the desire for an independent and democratic Homeland. He nurtured these desires in a special way by supporting independent culture and independent publishing activities. He brought help to the repressed and their families. He was not mistaken, convincing since 1982 that the martial law is the beginning of the collapse of the totalitarian system.
- I think that one of his most important achievements in the then diocese of Przemyśl, which crosses the boundaries of the present Podkarpacie Province, was the construction of over 400 churches. In this way, Fr Abp not only facilitated the participation of the inhabitants in holy masses and the development of the universal church, but also strengthened forever the Roman Catholic rite in the whole of Podkarpacie," concluded the Speaker of the Sejm.
Among the speakers were Rev. Franciszek Rząsa ("Archbishop Ignacy Tokarczuk - from the perspective of the spiritual father of priests of the diocese of Przemyśl - recollections"), Rev. Prof. Józef Wołczański ("Pastoral and organizational activities of Archbishop Ignacy Tokarczuk in the Church of Przemyśl") and Dr. Mariusz Krzysztofiński ("Archbishop Ignacy Tokarczuk - defender of the truth, the rights of believers, the advocate of "Solidarity"). The whole event was enriched by the fragments of homilies and diaries of Archbishop Ignacy Tokarczuk in the form of documentary projection montage and interpretation by Waldemar Czyszak - actor of the Wanda Siemaszkowa Theatre in Rzeszów. The event was accompanied by a thematic exhibition "Archbishop Ignacy Tokarczuk - Church, Authority - Social Resistance", prepared by the Institute of National Remembrance Branch in Rzeszow.
The conference was held under the honorary patronage of Marshal of the Sejm Marek Kuchciński, Chairman of the Polish Episcopal Conference Archbishop Stanislaw Gądecki and Metropolitan Archbishop of Przemysl Adam Szal. It was created on the initiative of Podkarpackie Voivode Ewa Leniart and Voivodeship Marshal Władysław Ortyl.
More materials about Archbishop Ignacy Tokarczuk:
Scientific session dedicated to the metropolitan of Przemyśl, Archbishop Ignacy Tokarczuk
Photo by M. Olejnik
Independence Bell - a gift from the Marshal of Podkarpackie Voivodeship Władysław Ortyl
Photo by M. Marchlewska
Sejm: Exhibition dedicated to Archbishop Ignacy Tokarczuk, IPN Rzeszów
