Jozef-Glemp-Obituary

Cardinal Jozef Glemp

Obituary

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Cardinal Jozef Glemp, the longtime head of Poland's influential Roman Catholic church at a time when it played a key role in the fight against communism, has died. He was 83.

Jozef Kloch, a church spokesman, said in a statement that Glemp died Wednesday evening in Warsaw. Glemp had been ill for many years, and the Polish news agency PAP said he had lung cancer. Earlier in the day Warsaw Archbishop Kazimierz Nycz had asked the faithful to pray for Glemp, noting that his condition was deteriorating.

Glemp oversaw the church at a critical time in its history and in that of Poland, a largely Catholic nation.

He was the head of the Polish bishops' conference from 1981 to 2004. Until 2009 he also held the role of primate, the top leadership role. His years of leadership largely coincided with the papacy of the Polish-born Pope John Paul II, who was elected pope in 1979. In the following years, the church enjoyed huge influenc e in Poland thanks to John Paul's authority and his role in inspiring the Solidarity movement of Lech Walesa that helped topple communism in 1989.

A key moment for Glemp as church leader came in 1981, when communist authorities imposed the harsh crackdown aimed at crushing Solidarity.

Some democracy activists at the time faulted Glemp for failing to confront the regime forcefully, but said any seemingly conciliatory gestures were meant to try to prevent violence in the nation.


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Guest Book

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May the god of comfort be a source of strength for your family at this difficult time. 2Corn 1:3, 4. Deepest Sympathy, Sue, Concord, NC

May God continúe to stengrhen the family during this difficult time. 1 Corinthians 1:3,4

wieczny odpoczynek

Daj Mu Panie wieczne zycie w niebie bo zasluzyles sobie na to, dobry pasterzu i wielki Polaku.
Rodzina Zmidzinski, New Jersey, USA

God Bless!

Objawienie 21:3,4
Wtedy uslyszalem donosny glos od tronu, mówiacy: „Oto namiot Boga jest z ludzmi i On bedzie przebywac z nimi, a oni beda jego ludami. I bedzie z nimi sam Bóg.I otrze z ich oczu wszelka lze, i smierci juz nie bedzie ani zalosci, ani krzyku, ani bólu juz nie bedzie.To, co poprzednie, przeminelo”.

WE ARE SENDING OUR LOVE,PRAYERS,&CONDOLENCES TO THE GLEMP FAMILY,FRIENDS,&ALL WHO KNEW CARDINAL GLEMP.

May the light of Christ burn a little brighter in the homes of Poland. Evil tried to extinguish that light, but God sent protectors, in the shape of priests, cardinals and popes to guide his flock through the most terrible times. Your work is done here. Poland has survived and come out stronger. May her light show the way for the rest of the world that is still struggling with evil. Rest in peace and thank you.