Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good.
― Jerzy Popiełuszko
Jerzy Popieluszko (Polish [ˈjɛʐɨ popʲɛˈwuʂkɔ] born Alfons Popiełuszko; 14 September 1947 – 19 October 1984) was a Polish Catholic priest associated with the Solidarity, a trade union group founded in Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk, fighting against communism in Poland.
Biography[]
Early life and priesthood[]
Popiełuszko was born in Okopy on 14 September 1947 to his mother, Marianna Popiełuszko, and his father, Władysław Popiełuszko among one of five children, including Joseph, Stanislaw, and two unnamed sisters.
After graduating school and enrolling the seminary for priests, Popiełuszko was forced to become a special force service member in 1966-1968 in Bartoszyce. The enforcement to become a special force service member was intended to prevent men, especially practicing Catholics, from becoming priests; however, Popieluszko rebelled against that as he was committed to his Catholic faith and it wasn't being affected. Although he finished attending his special force service and continued studying, Popiełuszko's health had gotten worse for life after receiving punishments due to his resistance against recanting his Catholic faith. Then Popiełuszko changed his first name from Alfons to Jerzy because the word "alfons" is associated with a man who deals with prostitution.
In May 1972-1975, Popiełuszko became a priest by Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński and first later served in Ząbki near Warsaw. Popiełuszko then joined the workers by participating in the Warsaw Steelworks strike in 1981, becoming associated with the Solidarity to fight against communism. In his sermons, Popiełuszko associated spiritual encouragement with diplomatic statement, opposed the government supporting communism, and motivated people to protest and express solidarity.
Popiełuszko's sermons were broadcast by Radio Free Europe throughout Poland fighting against the communist regime.
Assassination[]
Initially, on 13 October 1984, Popiełuszko evaded an apparent car accident that was set up to kill the former; however, he was successfully beaten to death by three Security Service (Służba Bezpieczeństwa; SB) agents six days later as the latter pretended to have issues with their car and flagged down Popiełuszko's driver's car after Popiełuszko arriving and meeting up with the Pastoral Care of the Working People (Duszpasterstwo Ludzi Pracy) to celebrate Holy Mass at the Church of the Holy Polish Brothers Martyrs. Then Popiełuszko was tied up, put in the trunk of SB's car, and dropped into the Vistula Water Reservoir near Włocławek. 11 days later, Popiełuszko's body was discovered.
Legacy[]
In 2009, Popiełuszko was posthumously awarded the Order of the White Eagle and was buried in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Warsaw, where visitors, including famous politicians–George Bush, Margaret Thatcher, Mikheil Saakashvii–and Pope John Paul II paid tribute to the former. He was beautified by Archbishop Angelo Amato on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI on 6 June 2010, but not yet canonized.
Media[]
- Andrzej Panufnik composed his Bassoon Concerto in 1985 in dedication to Popiełuszko.
- The character of the 1988 films á clef To Kill a Priest is based on Popiełuszko.
- Movies about Popiełuszko–Freedom is Within Us and Messenger of the Truth–document his life and death.
- The Americans season one episode "Duty and Honor" features a fictional Polish resistance leader loosely based on Popiełuszko.
Heroism[]
- As stated in Early life and priesthood, Popiełuszko fought for the Solidarity as he participated the 1981 warning strike in Poland.
- Popiełuszko motivated those who were struggling to fight back against the communist regime to protest and express solidarity.
Trivia[]
- Popiełuszko had met Lech Wałęsa, having common interests with the latter such as associating with the Solidarity and opposing the communist regime.
- His nickname is Jurek, commonly used for those named Jerzy.