On the first Friday of Lent, bishops across Poland held prayer services on the Day of Prayer and Solidarity with Persons Harmed by Sexual Abuse. The Metropolitan of Częstochowa additionally appointed an Independent Legal-Historical Team to investigate cases since 1945. Archbishop Zbigniew Zieliński appealed for an end to the silence and to show solidarity with the victims.

Services Across the Country

In many Polish cities, bishops held Masses and Stations of the Cross on Friday for the intention of those harmed within the Church.

Legal-Historical Team in Częstochowa

Archbishop Wacław Depo appointed an independent team to clarify cases of persons harmed in the Archdiocese of Częstochowa since 1945.

Appeal to Break the Silence

The Metropolitan of Poznań appealed not to remain silent on the issue of sexual abuse and to show solidarity with the victims.

On the first Friday of Lent, February 20, 2026, the Polish Catholic Church observed the Day of Prayer and Solidarity with Persons Harmed by Sexual Abuse. In many cities, bishops held special services, including Masses and Stations of the Cross, dedicated to the intention of those harmed within the church community. The Metropolitan of Częstochowa, Archbishop Wacław Depo, announced on Friday the appointment of an Independent Legal-Historical Team. The task of this body is to clarify all cases of persons harmed in the Częstochowa Church from 1945 to the present. The team is also to develop effective forms of redress for the harm suffered. As Archbishop Depo emphasized, the goal is to identify all perpetrators of abuse among clergy and consecrated persons. Lent in the Catholic Church lasts from Ash Wednesday for 40 days (excluding Sundays) until Easter Sunday. It is a time of penance, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, intended to prepare the faithful to experience the Paschal mystery. Traditionally, Fridays of Lent are days of special prayer and mortification. In Warsaw, in the chapel of the Secretariat of the Polish Bishops' Conference, a Stations of the Cross service was held, during which prayers were offered for those who have been harmed. The Metropolitan of Poznań, Archbishop Zbigniew Zieliński, referring to victims of sexual violence, appealed for an end to the silence on this matter and for showing solidarity with the victims.

Mentioned People

  • Wacław Depo — Archbishop Metropolitan of Częstochowa, who appointed the Independent Legal-Historical Team.
  • Zbigniew Zieliński — Archbishop Metropolitan of Poznań, who appealed for an end to the silence on the issue of sexual abuse.