Msgr. Paweł Ptasznik

Warsaw received the Pope well, said Msgr. Paweł Ptasznik, head of the Polish Section of the Secretariat of the State of the Holy See. In his opinion, the visit proceeds according to expectations, and the words of Benedict XVI touch upon vital problems of immediate concern for the Poles. Fr. Ptasznik is accompanying the Holy Father in the pilgrimage to Poland as a member of the papal entourage.

Fr. Ptasznik noted that the Varsovians who waited on the streets of the nation’s capital to greet the Pope manifested their respect and love to the successor of St. Peter. – It is a pity most of the movement across the capital took place in a limousine and not all of those who wanted to see the Pontiff were able to do that, observed Msgr. Ptasznik.

Referring to the widely commented address of the Holy Father to the clergy, Fr. Ptasznik pointed to its two levels. One of them was profoundly theological, the other tied with everyday life, with what society and clergy experience on a daily basis. In his opinion, the admonitions of the Pope about applying cautious judgement to events from the past, marking their full context, and avoiding the stand of arrogant judges, words widely commented upon, should be understood as a reference to the situation of the entire Church. – Allegations are raised with respect to persons, candidates for the glory of the altars, during their beatification and canonization processes. Those who hurl these accusations do not take into account the historical context the candidates for blesseds and saints lived in – remarked Fr. Ptasznik. He added at the same time that the words of the Pope may be referred in their entirety to the Polish context, to the allegations and accusations levelled against clergy collaborating with the secret services of the communist regime.

The ecumenical meeting of Benedict XVI with representatives of Christian Churches, held in the Holy Trinity Church, was seen by Msgr. Ptasznik as "warm." – The Pontiff treats the question of ecumenism as one of his top priorities since this is a duty arising from the words of Christ himself: "May they be one" – explained Fr. Ptasznik. He added that especially in Poland, where debates are held in an organized fashion, we may see that ecumenical dialogue is feasible and may set an example for the Churches in other countries.

Msgr. Ptasznik recalled the words of Pope Benedict, who stressed at the Okęcie Airport that this is not merely a sentimental journey, but one meant to strengthen brothers in the faith, hence the motto of the apostolic journey "Be strong in the faith." - Benedict XVI arrives with the gospel message, which places certain demands on us and therefore we must expect similar demands from the Holy Father – underlined Fr. Ptasznik.

mp, im / Warszawa