Cardinal Dziwisz Resists Court Summons in Abuse Case

The Krakow Regional Court is seeking to examine Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz as a witness in a 20-million-zloty damages lawsuit filed by a childhood sexual abuse survivor against the Archdiocese of Krakow.

Cardinal Dziwisz Seeks Exemption from Testimony

The Krakow Regional Court scheduled an August 3 hearing for Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz to testify regarding his alleged prior knowledge of abuse committed by former priest Jan W. The Cardinal has formally requested to be excused, citing his age, health, and medical advice, and claiming he lacks relevant knowledge as he resided in Rome between 1978 and 2004.

The court now awaits a judicial medical certificate to verify his health claims. If verified, the court may allow the testimony to be taken at the Cardinal’s residence. Otherwise, the court reserves the right to impose fines or order a compulsory appearance.

Legal Battle for Damages

Janusz Szymik, the plaintiff, is seeking 20 million zlotys in compensation from the Archdiocese of Krakow and the parish in Międzybrodzie Bialskie for abuse he suffered as a minor between 1984 and 1989. Plaintiffs’ counsel argues the Cardinal received previous reports about the perpetrator from Father Tadeusz Isakowicz-Zaleski.

In 2025, the Regional Court in Bielsko-Biała previously awarded Szymik 400,000 zlotys in damages, ruling that the Archdiocese of Krakow—the perpetrator’s employer at the time—was responsible for the failures to address the abuse. The Archdiocese of Krakow and the parish in Międzybrodzie Bialskie are currently the primary targets of the ongoing civil litigation.

Status of the Perpetrator

Attempts by counsel to summon the former priest, Jan W., as a witness have so far been unsuccessful. Court summons sent to his last known addresses, including a monastery, have not been collected, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.