In Poland, a lot of fuss arose this week about a book by Dutch journalist Eke Overbeek. in maxima colba, Recently published in the Polish translation, Overbeck writes that Pope John Paul II, who died in 2005, did not act against sexual abuse by priests in the 1960s and 1970s.

John Paul II, whose real name was Karol Wojtyla, was Cardinal of Krakow in those years. Overbeck wrote that he made sure that the priests, who he knew had abused children, were given another position. Then some priests sinned again.

In Catholic Poland, John Paul II, who led the Roman Catholic Church from 1978 until his death in 2005, is seen as a national hero. Catholic and conservative Poles reacted angrily to Overbeck’s book.

Archbishop of Kraków, Marek Jedraszewski, speaking Twitter For an attack similar to the failed assassination attempt on John Paul II in Saint Peter’s Square in 1981.

Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki subscriber A video on social media expressing his admiration for Karol Wojtyla. The ruling Law and Justice party wants to submit a motion “to defend the reputation of John Paul II”.

Critics are particularly angry at the fact that Overbeck is also basing his findings on reports from Polish intelligence. He kept a close eye on the Catholic Church during the communist period for forty years. Karol Wojtyla was a fierce opponent of the Communist rulers.

The book also includes witnesses who corroborate the intelligence findings. Overbeck felt compelled to use documents from the Secret Service because the Roman Catholic Church kept its private archives closed.

Overbeck says V.I devotion He anticipated criticism of his book. In discussions about politics and the Church, he says, it is customary not to respond to criticism, but to dismiss it as a dirty attack.