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PDF versionCity tells of two Polands
Feb. 01, 2010
A view of the old town of Torun, Poland (ZUMA Press/Olivier Blaise)
TORUN, POLAND -- This medieval city in central Poland is a split-screen picture of the wider country. On one side of the city is Radio Maryja with its daily rants about the threat that Jews, gays and the liberals in the European Union pose for Poland. Across the Vistula River, less than 2 miles away from Radio Maryja, is the Higher School of Hebrew Philology founded by a Franciscan monk. Here Catholic students learn Hebrew and study about the Jewish origins of Christianity in the hope that this will bring both faiths closer.
The sharp contrasts between the nation’s progressive youth and the far-right Catholic radio station with millions of loyal listeners is evident in this city of 200,000, known as the birthplace of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.
A crucifix hangs on the back wall of the classroom at the Higher School of Hebrew Philology. Beneath it stands a menorah -- an unusual sight in this predominantly Catholic country.
The new three-year private college that opened last October offers a program that is unique in Poland. The school’s purpose is to teach Jewish subjects, including Hebrew, Yiddish and the history of Judaism. There are no Jewish students in the school.
Fr. Maksymin Tandek (Krzysztof Galica)Fr. Maksymin Tandek, 43, the school’s founder, realized a lifelong dream in 2000 when he was given permission to study at a Franciscan school in Jerusalem for three years.
“When I stood on the rooftop of our school in the Old City, I fell in love with Israel and did not want to leave it,” he told NCR. “I felt honored that I could touch the roots of our religion and cultural identity when I was in the Holy Land.”
He said that when he returned to Poland, he was determined to find a way to share his love for Israel with young Poles. He wanted to teach them the importance of dialogue between Christians and Jews in the hope of countering anti-Semitism.
A glaring example of such anti-Semitism was heard last year when Dr. Kzysztof Kawecki, a priest, said on Radio Maryja that the boycotting of Jewish stores between the two World Wars was justified. “It was a necessary defense against an alien competition,” the priest said.
NCR: February 3-16, 2012
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Tandek believes bigotry is often bred by ignorance, and he opened his school to combat this ignorance. Most Poles have minimal contact with Jews, mainly because there are so few, roughly 15,000 Jews in Poland’s population of 38.5 million.
Before the Holocaust there were 3.3 million Jews in Poland. Approximately 3 million perished in the Holocaust, and most of the survivors fled because of postwar anti-Semitism. Only two Jews remain in Torun.
“Now, after the Holocaust, Jews and Poles know even less about each other,” said Szymon Spandouski, a journalist who often writes about Jewish-Christian relations for the Torun newspaper Nowosci.
Tandek’s school is helping to close this gap for the generation of young Poles who have come of age since the collapse of communism in 1989. This generation is the first in the postwar period to learn about Poland’s rich Jewish history and to learn the unvarnished truth about the decimation of this population during the Holocaust. Communist textbooks referred to Jewish victims as anonymous “Polish citizens” and downplayed the Shoah.
Upon his return from Israel, Tandek launched a campaign to establish the school he envisioned. His project had the blessing of the Vatican and the Polish Catholic church, and he secured the support of the Torun City Council. The school receives funding from the city of Torun, the European Union and private contributors.
Makeshift quarters in the Franciscan monastery have only permitted the Hebrew school to accommodate 20 students during this freshman year. A new school building, near completion next to the monastery, will permit a large expansion of the student body in the fall term.
“I felt that I was missing something in Christianity and I wanted to go back to its roots,” said student Anna Turczanik. “Now I am beginning to understand Christianity’s connection to Judaism, and I am finally seeing my religion’s beginnings in Judaism.”
Paulina Przyziolkowska, another student, wants to be able to translate into Polish Yiddish stories that were written during the Holocaust.
“A whole Jewish culture disappeared from this country during the Holocaust,” a male student observed. “It is our obligation to find out why.”
Across the river Radio Maryja broadcasts a starkly different message. Its largely religious programs reach millions of Poles. Redemptorist Fr. Tadeusz Rydzik, Radio Maryja’s director and founder, figures prominently in Polish politics because he can often deliver the votes of his loyal followers.
His listener-supported media empire, under the auspices of the Warsaw province of the Redemptorists, includes a television station and a daily newspaper, Nasz Dziennik.
According to the Center for Public Opinion Research, an independent Polish public opinion center, 15 percent of Poland’s adult population, approximately 4.5 million, listens to Radio Maryja daily. Other researchers say the number is lower, but large enough to have considerable political influence.
Rydzik’s loyal listeners also frequently stage protests and organize petition drives, said Rafal Maszkowski, a researcher who monitors Radio Maryja broadcasts.
Rydzik is a staunch supporter of the country’s right-wing parties, especially the Law and Justice Party, which shares leadership of Poland with the pro-business Civic Platform Party. Law and Justice officials often appear as guests in the Radio Maryja studios.
During last year’s European Parliament election, Radio Maryja urged its followers to vote for Law and Justice candidates, and 15 party members were elected after receiving Radio Maryja’s endorsement. These Polish members charge that the European Parliament threatens Polish sovereignty.
Rydzik’s programs exploit listeners’ fears that Poland’s new capitalist democracy undermines their traditional Catholic way of life. Jews and Masons are viewed as threatening outside forces to be demonized, according to a source close to the radio station, who requested anonymity because of her sensitive job.
The press is also demonized. Radio Maryja declined a request for an interview with Rydzik for this article, calling the proposed questions hostile. “All journalists are refused admission,” said Jacek Holub, a reporter who covers the Torun region for Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland’s largest newspaper.
Polish leaders in the Catholic church have criticized Radio Maryja for meddling in politics. They have called on the nation’s bishops to replace Rydzik with a new governing board for the station.
“It is absolutely necessary to do this to avoid a dangerous crisis in the church,” said Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Kraków.
But the Polish bishops have been badly divided and have failed to remove Rydzik.
“Those who oppose Rydzik are afraid to act against him because of his power and the support of so many of his devout Catholic followers,”said Holub.
Nevertheless, there are many people in Poland like Tandek who remain undaunted by the forces of prejudice. They quietly build citadels of understanding for the 1,000-year Jewish presence in Poland and hope to revive it.
Many of Torun’s young students profess shame at Radio Maryja’s presence.
“We apologize for Radio Maryja,” says graffiti on several buildings.
[Donald Snyder is a freelance writer who worked at NBC for 27 years as a news producer. He retired from the network in 2003.]
What tremendous news of
What tremendous news of Father Tandek's work. Backed by the Vatican, wow! This is the Holy Spirit at work!
Radio Maria in Malta is
Radio Maria in Malta is strong and contiuously asking for donations. However it is a radio of lamentations and sob stories and I will work to get it out of our system. It is absorbing the little money that is allocated by all to media including the local church's media.
Congratulations to Fr. Tandek and I pray that his endeavor succeeds.
Yes. A little hope and good
Yes. A little hope and good news here.
Having attended both a bar
Having attended both a bar mitzvah & bat mitzvah for friends children in the past five years, I was simply overwhelmed experiencing the honor, feeling and deep understanding of the Penatuch/Torah that was revealed during those ceremonies and that we and our friends share a deep bond. Listening to a rabbi at an interfaith program, again through his words, God was revealed. If I were 40 years younger I would be studying Polish so that I could attend. I wish continued success & God's blessings to Fr. Tandek and his mission.
If the Vatican wanted to shut
If the Vatican wanted to shut down this radio station tomorrow, they could. Where is Cardinal Rode the great investigator of nuns? Why not send someone like Mother Millea to Poland and investigate the Redemptorists.
Also to the point: why has
Also to the point: why has the head of the Redemptorist order allowed this to go on? Isn't there something about a vow of obedience?
Anyone know how the American church got rid of Coughlin?
Exactly! The Vatican could
Exactly! The Vatican could act but refuses to do so. What else is new? Whether removing bishops complicit in the sexual abuse of children, or closing down a virulently anti-Semitic radio station, Benedict does nothing. Shame on him. He needs to take a stand and visit the school to bless its work.
The old belief systems of
The old belief systems of Europe die hard. As a German born person, who lived through WWII and struggled with what it means to be a German and a Catholic in light of the Holocaust, I see that the roots of anti-semitism go deep into European soil. In particular the following statement:
"Those who oppose Rydzik are afraid to act against him because of his power and the support of so many of his devout Catholic followers."
It is a very dangerous situation. All you need to do is replace the name of the priest, Rydzik who runs the far right radio station with the name "Hitler" and you have a repeat of what happened in Germany during WWII.
I support Father Tandek's work and agree that his work is inspired by the Holy Spirit. I agree with him that ignorance is often at the root of most of this deep seated hatreds and prejudices. The name of Howard Zinn comes to mind, having just read John Deare's article about Zinn's recent death in another NCR article. Zinn's life's work was towards eliminating the roots of war and embracing non-violence. Wish we could all learn and follow in the footsteps of these prophets....and of Jesus who always refused to embrace "power".
What amazing news about Fr
What amazing news about Fr Rydkik's work. Backed by the people, probably his order and, doubtless, a number of the bishops. This is the Holy Spirit at work??
Radio Maryja represents the
Radio Maryja represents the evil, dark and fundamentalist side that Catholicism can be. It speaks volumes that they are against gays, liberals and Jewish people. These mindsets reflect the right wing of Catholicism and they present a picture that is the opposite of Christ's inclusive love. These types hold several positions of authority in Poland's Catholic Church and to some degree, in the highest offices of power at the Vatican. It should not come as a surprise that the Vatican supports this crap. Is it any wonder that the posts in many NCR threads are from like minded people? They transmit a violent and narrow interpretation of what it means to be a Catholic Christian? There is hope however, and it is coming from Poland's Catholic youth and a few priests who dare to have minds of their own and individual consciouses.
Yes, even in the Vatican
Yes, even in the Vatican there is the odor of old dark Europe. The Vatican welcomed back the holocaust-denying bishops. They knew what they were doing. They knew what these guys stood for and they covered themselves with the stench that still surrounds places in Europe, particularly Catholic places---look at the forces of reaction and anti-semitism in France and Poland--all Catholics. I guess this is the Vatican's notion of the "big tent".
So hard to believe that the
So hard to believe that the Vatican would endorse this worthwhile endeavor to light a candle in the darkness - a sign of hope, the Holy Spirit at work. God Bless!
That radio station and it's
That radio station and it's operatives are a disgrace!!! The leaders of the Catholic Church continue to promote their short sighted agenda --- When will any leader - of any organization - stand up and speak out against injustice? Where are the Doctor Kings of the 21at Century?
Gee, to listen to the right
Gee, to listen to the right wing uberconservatives the youth of the church are flocking to the right wing of the church (with their various antisemitic rants and prejudices) with its Tridentine Mass. But your commentary shows otherwise: "The sharp contrasts between the nation’s progressive youth and the far-right Catholic radio station....is evident in this city of 200,000..."
What a contrast b/t Fr.
What a contrast b/t Fr. Tandek & Fr. Rydzik. The former is trying to promote understanding & brotherhood, while the latter promotes bigotry & ignorance. The fact that the Vatican & the Polish bishops have done nothing to stop Rydzik says a lot about them.
I applaud Fr. Tandek's
I applaud Fr. Tandek's important work and condemn Radio Maryja's anti-Semitism, but Mr. Snyder's article struck me as an example of why so many demonize the press. Phrases like "Rydzik's programs exploit listeners' fears" and "They quietly build citadels of understanding" are clearly not objective and not necessary. The story works without the author's bias coming through.
I would love to think that
I would love to think that the Vatican's support of Fr. Tandek is something to celebrate. But then, why does it not have the chutzpah to silence Fr. Rydzik for his bigotry as it has silenced the dissident voices in the American church? Is it because Rydzik wields such political control in Poland, which is clearly identifiable as Catholic influence? When will the hierarchy decide that it must love Christ more than power?
Interestingly, Radio Maryja
Interestingly, Radio Maryja represents the thinking of John Paul II and Joseph (Benedict) Ratzinger, our current Bishop of Rome. The parallels to the dark period of the Inquisition are striking and it points to many conditions that existed that brought about the first Christian Reformation. The Church was rotting from within at the time of the Reformation. Sadly, it has happened again. Vatican II offered a chance for the Catholic Church to become the Church that Christ intended and this brought great hope to the world. The forces that tried to stop the renewal of the Church prior to Vatican II, never really gave up. In the autumn of 1978, after the very brief papacy (one month) of John Paul I, the dark forces that existed in the shadows, seized power and have been fighting to return the Church to pre-Vatican II imperialism. A new reformation is now underway. The Holy Spirit has not deserted the faithful followers of Christ, even if it means this imperial system must be destroyed in order to rebuild the Universal Church that Christ intended. Progressive voices are getting stronger as forces of darkness and ignorance try to silence them. It's too late and the reactionary elements that fight so hard to preserve the status quo are operating out of fear and intolerance. The dark forces claim they are trying to preserve the unity of the Catholic faith. Just as in past centuries, they are trying to restrict the flow of new ideas and new ways to embrace Christ. They will fail.
To say that 'Radio Maryja
To say that 'Radio Maryja represents the thinking of John Paul II and Joseph (Benedict) Ratzinger' is, to be as charitable as I can, bigoted, ignorant drivel. Try reading either of them in the Shoah.
I agree with you all the way.
I agree with you all the way. This could be the work of the Holy Spirit, pulling out the rotten roots the hierarchy has been plantng for centuries in order to maintain its power. When fish rot, the rot starts from teh top down----and I do mean the very top.
A well known, conservative
A well known, conservative theologian once told me that it is impossible to fully understand and appreciate the New Testament without also understanding the Old Testament. He also thought for the better understanding of each that they should be read in their original languages, which he did.
Good Luck to Fr. Tandek.
BISHOP WILLIAMSON UNREPENTANT
BISHOP WILLIAMSON UNREPENTANT IN HOLOCAUST DENIAL
See http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,675163,00.html
And to think Pope Benedict continues to reach out to this reactionary/fundamentalist group in his quest to bring back the sick, dysfunctional, and sinful Tridentine culture, one that elevated the ordained and subordinated the laity --- and is largely responsible for the rampant clerical sexual abuse of children over the decades (centuries???), not to mention the arrogant and deceitful episcopal and papal attitude toward and treatment of victims and their advocates!!!
"Birds of a feather flock together."
TITHING = ENABLING
Radio Maryja seemed to have
Radio Maryja seemed to have forgotten that Maryja was Jewish. I recall a Polish family,named Woytila, in Wadowice,who did not disdain Jews. They even had a Jewish landlord. As I recall, their son Karol, became a rather famous person.
Bravo to the Cardinal of
Bravo to the Cardinal of Krakow for speaking out. However I am not surprised by the silence of the Vatican. Benedict has made clear that he regards secularism and modernity as the implacable enemies. Thus, tolerating far-right bigots who stand as counterweights to those trends is considered a necessary evil by the curia. Call me cynical but I suspect that this new school is allowed to exist by the hierarchy as a form of inoculation against charges of anti-Judaism.
As an American Anglican who often reads the Brit press and religion blogs, I can tell you that despicable bigotry and far-right politics is not limited to Poland. Reading some of the regular self-described "orthodox" Catholic posters on English media websites and blog comment sections dealing with your church is eye-opening, and not in a good way.
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