Primate Wyszynski spoke about Archbishop Antoni Baraniak as a man who never gave in. He did not yield to the communist executioners and when it was necessary he took responsibility for the Primate and for the Church on his shoulders.
- In the 20th century, the Catholic Church in Poland had outstanding representatives whose role in the history of the state and the nation is both historic and timeless: St. JP II, Primate August Hlond, Primate Stefan Wyszyński, Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapieha, Princes Jan Maria Kolbe and Jerzy Popiełuszko. Archbishop Antoni Baraniak was also among these outstanding figures," said the Speaker of the Sejm Marek Kuchciński during the opening of the Sejm exhibition "The Church's Steadfast Man.
Ordained a bishop on July 8, 1951, Father Antoni Baraniak took as his vocation the words Give me a soul, take the rest. He served as a priest, secretary to two Primates, Hlond and Wyszynski, auxiliary bishop and archbishop ordinarius in the episcopal capitals of Greater Poland.
Under the occupation and the communist regime he stood up for faith, dignity, the Church, humanity and Polishness. He was a steadfast clergyman, which he testified during his imprisonment in 1953-1956. His attitude at that time, when he did not yield and did not break down, saved Primate Wyszynski from the trial organized by the communists, and the Church from further repression.
Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, said: "The Church in Poland will never forget what Your Excellency did for it in the most difficult time for this Church. We are grateful for his service and today's exhibition is a modest proof of it - concluded the Marshal.
Photo: M. Olejnik, P. Kula
