Archival materials on Priest Jerzy Popiełuszko
The 19th of October marks the 34th anniversary of the murder of Priest Jerzy Popiełuszko, chaplain of workers, chaplain of “Solidarity” and nowadays the blessed patron of this Trade Union, committed by agents of Security Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the People’s Republic of Poland. Jerzy Popiełuszko’s ministry and charitable work gained him the hearts of many Poles. It also draw attention, however, of the communist authorities, which tortured him and eventually killed him.
Out of consideration for this sad anniversary it is worth to examine materials related to Priest Jerzy held in the Archives of the National Commission of NSZZ „Solidarność” in Gdańsk. Due to their content, they may be divided, obviously, into two categories: materials related to operational activity of Priest Jerzy and materials issued in commemoration of his death as a martyr.
The first category includes photographs showing the scenes from the life of Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko, like meetings, vicar’s visits, celebrated masses (AKKS 347/67/9), texts of his sermons (AKKS 347/75/3079-3080) and press clippings related to him, issued underground or abroad.
The second, much more abundant category, comprises materials commemorating the deeds and the tragic fate of the Priest. Among them are pin buttons for clothes and ephemera with the image of Priest Popiełuszko (AKKS 347/191/77, AKKS 347/76/36), wall calendars issued underground with specially marked date of His death (AKKS 347/190/58-59,62), leaflets and press clippings informing about the circumstances of the murder and the course of the lawsuit against the murderers (AKKS 347/67/8-9), et al. The Archives also hold a copy of Karol Wende’s speech delivered during the hearings in this famous lawsuit (AKKS 347/75/3238). Among other interesting materials there is e.g. “Position of the Gdansk technical University Senate regarding the killing of Priest Jerzy Popiełuszko” (AKKS 347/48/17).
Visit us at the in the Archives of the National Committee of NSZZ „Solidarność”.
Those interested in our archival materials are kindly invited to make use of our holdings in our Reading Room. They are accessible from Monday to Friday between 9:00 and 15:30. Please let us know in advance about your planned visit either by phone +48 (58) 308-43-92, +48 (58) 308-44-20, +48 (58) 308-43-83 or at .
/Kamil Kaliszuk, the Archives of the National Commission of NSZZ „Solidarność”,
Iwona Flis, Stanisław Flis Foundation “Pomerania Archives”/
