Polish Archdiocese of Krakow announces Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski has resigned on his 75th birthday, opening a search for a new metropolitan, with Bishop Sławomir Oder and Cardinal Grzegorz Rys among contenders.
Resignation Announcement and Candidates
The Vatican announced on Wednesday, November 26 that Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski would step down as metropolitan of Krakow. In reports, Bishop Sławomir Oder (currently bishop of Gliwice) and Cardinal Grzegorz Rys (metropolitan of Łódź) are mentioned as likely successors, though the Krakow curia and the nuncio have not commented.
When Did Archbishop Jędraszewski Resign?
According to canon law, the metropolitan submitted his resignation on his 75th birthday, July 24, 2024. He had previously informed that the Pope asked him to continue until a successor was found. Reports indicate he is scaling back to preaching and ringing bells.
Speech on May 11 Signaled the Transition
During a St. Stanisław ceremony, the metropolitan referenced the Polish presidential elections, a time when he often voiced support for PiS. He had criticised abortion and, in 2019, drew criticism for remarks about a “rainbow plague” during the Warsaw Uprising anniversary.
Who Is Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski?
Born July 24, 1949, in Poznań, he studied at the Karol Marcinkowski Secondary School, the Archdiocesan Seminary, and the Pontifical Theological Faculty. Ordained in 1973 by Archbishop Antoni Baraniak, he earned a doctorate in 1979, served as assistant professor and editor‑in‑chief of the “Przewodnik Katolicki.” In 2002 he became professor of theological sciences. Appointed metropolitan of Łódź in 2012, Pope Francis named him metropolitan of Krakow in December 2016.
