Left-wing Polish MP Łukasz Litewka, 36, was mourned at state ceremonies in Sosnowiec following his death in a bicycle accident last week.
State Funeral and Posthumous Award
The Sejm Chancellery organized Wednesday’s ceremonies, attended by President Karol Nawrocki, First Lady Marta Nawrocka, Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and other parliamentarians.
A mass was held at the St. Joachim parish church in Sosnowiec, drawing large crowds. President Nawrocki presented the deceased MP’s father, Zdzisław Litewka, with the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Poland Reborn, awarded posthumously.
Final Farewell at St. Joachim Church
The family requested that church services be limited to invited guests. Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty, friends from #TeamLitewka, and family members delivered brief eulogies.
Bishop Ważny’s Homily: A Testament to Daily Life
Presiding Bishop Ważny acknowledged the grief, anger, and helplessness of those present, stating that only God can heal wounds words cannot. He urged attendees to view the service not only as a farewell but as a comforting embrace from God.
Bishop Ważny emphasized the importance of finding hope in the Gospel and in the deceased’s “testament of daily life,” highlighting Litewka’s demonstration that genuine goodness requires no credentials or labels.
“Where Was God?” Faith and Social Activity
Bishop Ważny addressed the question of God’s presence in the face of such a sudden loss, asserting that God remains in the light Litewka ignited in many. He described death not as a barrier, but as a threshold to God’s embrace, where the good sown by Litewka will flourish eternally.
He noted Litewka’s intuitive understanding that God is found not in declarations, but in restoring dignity and saving lives.
Complaint About the Church and Plea for Forgiveness
Bishop Ważny acknowledged that many present were motivated by the values Litewka embodied, while others held reservations about the Church. He thanked them for their presence and recognized the pain Litewka himself felt regarding the Polish Church’s failures to address its shortcomings.
He expressed a desire to rectify these issues and asked for forgiveness on behalf of the Church, acknowledging that such failings often fracture communities.
The Liturgy of Daily Kindness
Bishop Ważny encouraged attendees not to fear the true Christ, who offers freedom and a foundation for loving as Litewka did. He emphasized that God seeks hearts that ache for others, and found such a heart in Łukasz Litewka.
He highlighted the Gospel’s depiction of the bond between God and humanity, noting that Litewka understood this unity and lived as proof that wisdom comes from relationships, not theory.
“Put Away the Packages, Silence the Phone”
Bishop Ważny underscored that Litewka learned attentiveness and sensitivity from his family’s love, which became a lifeline for so many. He noted that Litewka, like Jesus, did not need to shout to be heard, but acted through quiet deeds.
He urged attendees to practice small acts of kindness, transforming the world from a battlefield into a home, measuring greatness by one’s willingness to humble oneself before those in need.
Memories from Politicians and Loved Ones
Sejm Marshal Czarzasty described Litewka as a good man who loved people, lived independently, and dedicated himself to others and animals. He emphasized Litewka’s ability to unite people, even in death.
Friends from TeamLitewka recalled Litewka’s ability to find and nurture goodness, joy, and hope where others saw none, expressing their privilege in working alongside him to build a better world.
A message from Litewka’s family praised his kindness, sensitivity, strength, and enormous heart, noting his unwavering support for those overlooked by others.
Final Journey to the Parish Cemetery
Following the mass, the funeral procession proceeded to the parish cemetery, attended by family, friends, TeamLitewka colleagues, and politicians including Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski, Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, and PiS leader Mariusz Błaszczak.
Łukasz Litewka was honored with a salute of honor at the cemetery.