Poland: Thousands demonstrate to defend reputation of former Pope John Paul II

Thousands of poles They demonstrated on Sunday to defend the reputation of the expapade John Paul IIwho died in 2005 and recently accused of having concealed the crimes of pedophilia committed by the clergy when he was archbishop.

“The National March for the Pope” brought together tens of thousands of people dressed in traditional costumes or simply holding yellow and white flags of the Vatican in warsawaccording to AFP journalists.

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The protest was called by Catholic organizations openly backed by the government and the ruling populist nationalist party (PiS). The Polish Minister of Defence, Mariusz Blaszczakwas present.

“Just as every honest man defends his children, his father and mother, every Pole defends his John Paul II”, read one of the banners of the protest.

Supporters march to defend the memory of the late Polish-born Pope John Paul II on the 18th anniversary of his death, in Warsaw, Poland, on April 2, 2023. (Photo by Wojtek RADWANSKI / AFP) (WOJTEK RADWANSKI /)

the dutch reporter Ekke Overbeek published a book at the beginning of March in which he reveals that John Paul II was aware of cases of pedophilia in Poland and helped cover them up before he was elected pope in 1978.

“We pass the test bearing the truth, which must oppose lies, slander and insults”, tweeted the Polish prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki.

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“We thank God for the immeasurable gift that the Polish Pope was and continues to be for the Church, for Poland and for the world.”, said in turn the leader of PiS, Jaroslaw Kaczynskiin a letter to members of his party.

“We stand up to defend your honor and your good name”, he insisted, a few months before the Polish parliamentary elections, a predominantly Catholic country.

Source: Elcomercio