The Church Against The Church And Government
At the signing of the Warsaw STAPACT, there was only one media representative allowed, and that was a TV station operated by a right wing, government supporting Roman Catholic priest, Father Tadeusz Rydzyk,. The ruling political party, PIS, after the furor that resulted at the exclusion of all other media representatives, said that there were reliable media and unreliable media. The reliable media was obviously this Roman Catholic station that supported the government.
According to the Catholic News Agency ;
Radio Maria played decisive role in latest elections in Poland
Warsaw, Jan. 04, 2006 (CNA) - The Polish daily has provided extensive coverage of that country’s latest national elections and has concluded that the “real winner” is Radio Maria, which played a decisive role in the victory of Poland’s new president, Lech Kaczynski.
According to the Periodico de Cataluna, the headquarters of Radio Maria in the city of Torun sees “a constant parade of government limousines,” as well as a steady stream of visitors who come to drop off donations, pray at the chapel or browse the station’s bookstore. From Catholic News Agency
There has been a long lasting internal battle among the Polish Bishops about the news station. With support of some Bishops, the priest running the station has been fairly independent of Church control. He has flouted the authority of the heads of the Church in Poland on many occasions. He has seemed beyond control.
But his involvement in politics has apparently run alarm bells in the Church. On Wednesday, 15 February, 2005 it was publicly announced that he was given a private letter of reprimand by the Polish church that tells him to get out of politics. Details of the letter are not yet public. But what is known of the letter is that it is apparently the first step in a process that could have severe consequences for him.
The letter should also be a shock to the ruling Polish government. Limiting its ability to market its story to the Radio Maria audience can put a crimp in its plans.
The stakes are high for the government and for Radio Maria. Will the government continue to send its legions to support the station? Will Rydzyk defy the church authorities and continue its involvement in politics? Which Church will win. The Rydzyk Church of Poland or the Roman Catholic Church of the Vatican?
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