Outspoken anti-communist priest beatified
The head of the Vatican’s saint-making office, Archbishop Angelo Amato, presided over the Mass at Pilsudski Square that was also celebrated by 120 bishops and 1,600 priests. Popieluszko’s 90-year-old mother Marianna, his sister and brothers, were among some 140,000 attending that included Walesa.
Amato read out Pope Benedict XVI’s declaration that made Popieluszko blessed for his martyrdom in giving his life to defend good. The crowd applauded when Popieluszko’s portrait was unveiled.
Popieluszko’s grave remains in the yard of St Stanislas Church. Since his burial, it has been visited by many world leaders.
Popieluszko is remembered as one of the historic figures in the nation’s struggle against communism.
On October 19, 1984, three secret police officers kidnapped the 37-year-old priest and his driver.
The priest was beaten, bound and later stuffed in a sack weighed down with stones and thrown into the Vistula River.
His driver, Waldemar Chrostowski, escaped to tell about the priest’s abduction.
Popieluszko’s murder sparked massive outrage and drew hundreds of thousands of people to his funeral, in a massive show of opposition to the communist regime.
