Bishop Antoni Pacyfik Dydycz, 87, passed away on October 25, 2023, and will be honored in a funeral service to be announced by the diocese.
Brief Biography
Born in 1938, Antoni Dydycz served as the provincial of the Warsaw Province of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin from 1976 to 1982. He was also the chairman of the Conference of Superiors General of the Male and Female Franciscan Orders and Communities. In 1994, he received his doctoral degree in human sciences from the Department of Humanities at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. Later that year, Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Drohiczyń.
Episcopal Service
On July 10, 1994, Dydycz received his episcopal ordination from His Eminence Archbishop Józef Kowalczyk, the Apostolic Nuncio in Poland. His episcopal motto, “Populus Tuus – hereditas Tua – Lud Twój – dziedzictwem Twoim,” reflects his dedication to his flock. He was also the chairman of the Committee for Assistance to the Eastern Church of the Polish Episcopate Conference and coordinated the preparation for the beatification process of East martyrs, including victims of the Katyn massacre.
Vatican Recognition
The Vatican News hailed Dydycz as “incredibly deserving for the Church in this region.” Notable achievements include preparing Pope John Paul’s apostolic visit to Drohiczyń. Pope Francis sent Dydycz a letter in 2013 to commemorate 50 years of priestly service.
