A trial began on December 10 in Tarnów against Bishop Andrzej J. for allegedly concealing a priest’s pedophilic abuse, marking the first such case in Polish church history.
Trial Commences on December 10
The Tarnów district court held the first hearing in the case against Bishop Andrzej J. on December 10. The court scheduled further sessions, with the next set for February 18 of the following year.
Charges against the bishop were filed in April 2024, following earlier accusations that he concealed the Church’s pedophilia.
Prosecution Allegations of Conspiracy to Hide Abuse
Investigators claim that from July 13, 2017, to August 16, 2020, while Bishop Andrzej J. oversaw the Tarnów Diocese, he was aware that a subordinate priest, Stanisław P., had taken minors under 15 to engage in sexual acts. Yet he failed to promptly report this to the authorities.
The prosecutor alleges that the bishop had conducted his own internal investigations into both priests and therefore possessed knowledge of the offenses.
Diocese Responds Defending Bishop
The Tarnów Diocese countered, stating that it had received no notification about the allegations. According to its spokesperson, Bishop Andrzej J. exercised due diligence and complied with the duty to inform state authorities of any crimes involving minors, and the diocese is prepared to prove this in court.
Background of the Alleged Abuse – 95 Victims
The case against priest Stanisław P. dates back to 2022. Former metropolitan Wiktor Skworc had reportedly sent him to Ukraine, where P. molested boys, leading to an estimated 95 child victims.
The abuse reportedly included molestation, sexual acts, and bodily violence. The prosecution discontinued the case due to statute of limitations.
