Polish archbishop criticizes priest wishing Francis death

Poland’s leading archbishop denounced comments by a senior conservative priest who wished Pope Francis a quick death if he does not open to ‘wisdom.’

Krakow Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski on Sunday said he heard about the comments with ‘great pain and regret’ and has discussed them face-to-face with Msgr. Edward Staniek, who made them in a church speech in Krakow last month.

Krakow was the seat of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, the late Pope St. John Paul II. Poland’s church remains attached to John Paul’s conservative stance, which largely differs from Francis’ inclusive message. 

Senior conservative priest Edward Staniek (pictured) wished Pope Francis wisdom and a ‘heart open to the Holy Spirit, and if he does not do that, for a quick passage to the House of the Father’

Krakow Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski (pictured) said he heard about the comments with 'great pain and regret' and has discussed them face-to-face with Msgr. Edward Staniek

Krakow Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski (pictured) said he heard about the comments with ‘great pain and regret’ and has discussed them face-to-face with Msgr. Edward Staniek

A majority of Poland’s bishops see their mission as preserving the traditional Catholic values from the pressure of secularization. 

In his speech, Staniek, who is a prominent theologian, said he was praying for ‘wisdom’ for Francis and a ‘heart open to the Holy Spirit, and if he does not do that, for a quick passage to the House of the Father,’ meaning death.

He said that Francis has departed from the teaching of Jesus and was wrongly interpreting mercy as opening up to Muslims and allowing communion for divorced Catholics, who, according to the church, live in mortal sin and are not allowed communion.

 A former seminary rector, Staniek suggested Pope Francis (pictured) was an 'alien body' in the Catholic Church

 A former seminary rector, Staniek suggested Pope Francis (pictured) was an ‘alien body’ in the Catholic Church

Staniek's superior, Archbishop Jedraszewski said that the full Krakow diocese was praying every day for the well being of Francis (pictured)

Staniek’s superior, Archbishop Jedraszewski said that the full Krakow diocese was praying every day for the well being of Francis (pictured)

A former seminary rector, Staniek suggested Francis was an ‘alien body’ in the Catholic Church.

He also claimed that that the Pope’s words were used by media that are hostile to the church.

His superior, Archbishop Jedraszewski, insisted in his statement that the full Krakow diocese was praying ardently every day with the best intentions for Francis.



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