Częstochowa Metropolitan Archbishop Wacław Depo has established an Independent Legal-Historical Team to investigate cases of sexual abuse in the local Church since 1945. This initiative coincided with the observance of the Day of Prayer and Solidarity with Victims of Abuse, which the Roman Catholic Church in Poland celebrates on the first Friday of Lent. Hierarchs, including Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, called on the faithful to pray for atonement for crimes committed against minors.

Establishment of an investigative team

The Częstochowa Archdiocese has established an Independent Legal-Historical Team to clarify sexual abuse cases since 1945.

Day of Prayer and Solidarity

On the first Friday of Lent, the Church in Poland prayed for persons harmed by sexual abuse.

Cardinal Ryś's appeal

Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś called for prayer of atonement for crimes committed by clergy against minors.

New forms of redress

The main goal of the new team is to develop forms of effective assistance and compensation for victims.

Częstochowa Metropolitan Archbishop Wacław Depo announced the establishment of the Independent Legal-Historical Team, whose task will be to meticulously clarify matters related to victims in the Częstochowa Church. The team's work is to cover the period from 1945 to the present day. The team's goal is not only to identify perpetrators of abuse among clergy and consecrated persons, but above all to develop concrete ways to repair the harm done. The Archdiocese has also launched a special communication channel via an email address, enabling victims to contact the explanatory office directly. The announcement of this decision occurred on the symbolic date of February 20, 2026, when the Polish Church, on the initiative of Pope Francis, observes the Day of Prayer and Solidarity with Persons Harmed by Sexual Abuse. Across the country, representatives of the episcopate conducted penitential services and Way of the Cross devotions. During the observance in the chapel of the Secretariat of the PBC, the service was presided over by Bishop Marek Marczak, and Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś emphasized the necessity of prayer for atonement for the crimes committed. Since 2017, the Church in Poland, following the guidelines of the Holy See, regularly observes a day of solidarity with victims on the first Friday of Lent, which is part of a broader reform for the protection of minors. As part of this year's observance, educational materials and testimonies were also published, including actor monologues under the slogan #WithTheWounded, aimed at raising social awareness about trauma mechanisms. Clergy, including Poznań Metropolitan Archbishop Zbigniew Zieliński, appealed to the faithful for greater empathy and support for persons who, for years, did not reveal the harm they suffered due to social barriers and fear of stigmatization. The Częstochowa initiative is seen as another step in the process of reckoning with the past of Church structures in Poland. 81 years — covers the investigation period of the Częstochowa commissionEmphasizes the importance of systemic accountability and the necessity of material compensation for victims of abuse. | Accents the spiritual dimension, the need for prayer of atonement, and internal renewal and purification of the Church.

Mentioned People

  • Wacław Depo — Częstochowa Metropolitan, who established the team for clarifying matters concerning victims.
  • Grzegorz Ryś — Cardinal, Metropolitan of Kraków, commenting on the observance of the day of prayer for victims.
  • Marek Marczak — Bishop, Secretary General of the Polish Bishops' Conference, presiding over the Way of the Cross service.