Internal Conflict in Polish Church Leads to a Popular Priest Resigning from His Post

Warsaw Business Journal
July 16, 2013

http://www.wbj.pl/article-63310-internal-conflict-in-polish-church-leads-to-a-popular-priest-resigning-from-his-post.html?typ=pam

Father Wojciech Lemański, a Catholic priest known for his role in Polish-Jewish dialogue and for his recent public statements on a number of social issues, has effectively stopped being parish priest at Jasienica near Warsaw. He is in conflict with his superior Archbishop Henryk Hoser, who ordered him out of the parish for disobedience and failing to comply with some of the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Father Lemański did not agree with the decision and said that he would appeal against it. Initially, he refused to leave the parish, in which he was supported by a large group of parishioners. In the afternoon, he issued a statement saying that he has decided to leave.

Father Lemański's conflict with Archbishop Hoser has been closely watched by the Polish media for the past few weeks. In a radio interview, he accused the archbishop of antisemitism, claiming Archbishop Hoser had asked him in a private conversation, whether “he was circumcised” and whether he “belonged to that nation.”

Father Lemański has been given two options by the Church officials – retire or be transferred to another parish, where he would serve as an auxiliary staff.