On 26 November, Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś was chosen to replace Metropolitan Marek Jędraszewski as Archbishop of Kraków, but sources now claim the outgoing archbishop could receive a retirement of up to 25,000 zł, a sum that critics say will allow him to live luxuriously.
New Archbishop Elected
On 26 November, the papal conclave elected Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, who had served as Metropolitan of Łódź, to the position of Metropolitan and Archbishop of Kraków, succeeding Marek Jędraszewski.
Pension Details Revealed
The Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, citing Kraków priests, reports that Archbishop Jędraszewski could receive an annual pension of up to 25,000 zł. That figure represents only the base allowance and does not include daily living expenses or additional benefits such as media costs, salary for a household staff member, travel reimbursements, medical care, or funeral expenses.
Archbishop’s Statement
In a meeting at the Kraków Archbishops’ chapel at the end of November, Jędraszewski welcomed Cardinal Ryś and urged the new metropolitan to pray for the continuation of the great spiritual heritage of the Kraków Church.
Criticism of Pension Size
According to one clergyman interviewed by Gazeta Wyborcza, the large pension, paid through the Kraków curia, would allow Jędraszewski to “live luxuriously” with the support of the entire Catholic community, clergy, and lay clergy.