Archbishop Jędraszewski: “There is simply a court over Poland, now there is simply a court over us

On Good Friday, during the Way of the Cross in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, the metropolitan of Kraków Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski gave a moving homily, whose main message was: “Now there is simply a court over this world, now there is simply a court over Poland, now there is simply a court over us”. These words were not simply a liturgical comment – they had a prophetic and social dimension. They were a call to awaken consciences.

The Archbishop began by reminding us that Christ's death on the Cross was not the end, but the minute of triumph over Satan--"the father of lies." He said: “This planet was judged due to the fact that it killed God the Man. He seemed to have won, but he did indeed fail.” He added that judgement over the planet continues due to the fact that the planet inactive chooses evil, sin, lying, and moral relativism.

A strong accent of the homily was a passage devoted to Poland. “Now there is simply a court over Poland,” said the metropolitan. He emphasized that at the heart of this moral evaluation is the attitude toward the most vulnerable: unborn children.

“They are killed with a fatal blow to the heart”

He said explicitly, referring to the increasingly loud attempts to liberalise abortion law and to let society to do so. In this context, the loud business with Oleśnica took on peculiar importance.

An abortion was performed in the infirmary in Oleśnica in March in the 36th week of pregnancy. The doctor, Dr. Gizela Jagielska, referred to the condition of a danger to the wellness or life of her mother. The fetus was to be diagnosed as burdened with severe genetic illness – congenital bone fracture. The case caused a media and political storm. Euro MP Grzegorz Braun, in the company of a group of supporters, tried to conduct a “citizen detention” of the doctor. He intervened with the Ombudsman, demanding clarification from the Minister of Health. The case was besides handled by the D.A.'s office, but he's looking after Braun, not the abortion. This event shook the public and rekindled the debate on the limits of the protection of life in Poland.

In the light of these events, the words of Archbishop Jędraszewski gained even greater weight.

“There is simply a court over Poland, due to the fact that as a society we are increasingly on the side of death, not life. On the side of compromise, not conscience. On the side of fear, not the courage of faith.”

As the homily ended, the metropolitan turned straight to the consciences of the faithful.

“Now there is simply a judgement over us. Each of us must look at our lives through the prism of the Cross. Do we have the courage to face the truth? Do we choose good or conformism and silence?" He encouraged a individual examination of conscience and courage in professing faith.

The homily besides contains words about God’s patient love, which never ceases to love man, but besides awaits the answer:

“Christ died not to make us feel good, but to convert.” The cross is not only a symbol of suffering, but besides of justice and fact that no 1 can hide from.

This call to conversion was not so dramatic as realistic—showing the scale of spiritual confusion, but besides the anticipation of leaving it. The words of Archbishop Jędraszewski leave no illusions:

“Or we will stand by God and life, or pretend that evil does not exist—until it consumes us.”

In the context of events in Oleśnica, the increasing ideological dispute and attempts to redefine moral foundations in public life, this homily was a sign of opposition to relativism and a evidence that the voice of the Church – although controversial sometimes – inactive plays an crucial function in the debate about the future of Poland.