IPN: “The prince of power has succumbed. Priests cooperating with Communist authorities 1944–1989”,
date:24 June 2025 Editor: Editorial
National technological conference “The Prince of Power has succumbed. Clergy working with Communist Authorities 1944–1989”, part 1 – Warsaw, June 25–26 2025
The IPN Historical investigation Office in Warsaw invites you to take part in a nationwide technological conference “The Prince of Power has succumbed. The clergy working with the communist authorities 1945–1989", part 1, which will take place on 25–26 June 2025 at the Central halt of the past of the INP named after Lech Kaczyński in Warsaw (Marszałkowska Street 107).
The aim of the conference, carried out in the framework of the Central investigation task of the IPN "Communist Authorities towards Churches and spiritual Unions 1944–1989", is to present the situation of priests cooperating with communist authorities throughout the period of “people” Poland, i.e. in 1944–1989. This is not only about priests who have engaged in secret agential cooperation with the safety apparatus, as individual sources of information (informers or secret associates), but besides about those clergy who presented a submissive attitude towards the authorities, or were active in the widely understood movement of alleged patriot priests. We are curious in both collective portraits and presentation of individual biography or a description of the cooperation of the priest with the authorities.
The main foundation of the conference and subsequent publication of multi-author monographs will be to discuss how the functioning, relations with the provincial authorities and the ordinaries and suffragates of the diocese of priests cooperating with the authorities at the central and provincial level. The aim will be to present these issues as far as possible and in all the most crucial regions of Poland. In addition, in separate lectures, the approach of the central organization authorities and the Polish Episcopal to the problem of the activity of the said clergy group, which, as should be remembered, constituted a definite number among priests.
Conference programme
Day 1 – 25 June 2025
10.00 – beginning of the conference
Panel I: 10.20-12.10
10.20–10.40 – Dr. Zbigniew Bereszyński, Priests at the services of the communist authorities. Characteristics of various forms of cooperation on the example of selected figures from the territory of Namyślowski
10.40 a.m. – Rev. Dr. Dominik Sweeping prof. UKSW (University of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski), Collective image of the community of Caritas priests
11.00 – 11.20 – Prof. Paweł Skibiński (University of Warsaw), Polish movement of "the princes of patriots" - norm within the russian bloc or derogation from it?
11.20 – 11.40 p.m. – Dr. Karol Kubicki, “The Prince of Bieruta” – the founding story of the “Mountain-patriot” movement. Collective image of the “initiative group”
11.40-12.10 – discussion
12.10-12.30 – coffee break
Panel II: 12:30-14.30
12.30-12.50 – Fr. Caritas priests in the Diocese of Czestochowa. Collective portrait
12.50–13.10 – Dr. Zbigniew Stanuch (Institute of National Memory Branch in Szczecin), Environment of the “Prince of Patriots” in the Szczecin Voivodeship (1949-1956). Problem outline
13.10 to 1.30 p.m. – Dr. Robert Kolas (High School of Management in Konin), image of a common “moon of patriots” of Poznań Voivodeship
1.30 a.m. to 13.5 p.m. – Robert Sreejko, Priest activity in the peace defenders movement from 1950 to 1953
13.50–14.10 – Dr. Krzysztof Andrzej Kierski (Institute of National Remembrance of the Delegation in Olsztyn), Loyal to State Authorities – Fr Stefan Biskupski, Government of Warmia diocese
2 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. – discussion
2.30 p.m. to 15.10 p.m. – break
Panel III: 15.10–17.00
15.10 – 15.30 p.m. – Fr. Prof. Józef Marecki (Institute of National Memory in Warsaw), Fr. Stanislaw Skędecki – informant/source “Krystyna”, “Ptaszynska”
3.30–15.50 – Dr. Rafał Łatka Prof. UKSW (Institute of National Memory in Warsaw), Stachanowiec among the priestly informers. Father Krzysztof Dominik Michałowski: agent/inforator of “Frank”, TW pp. “Włodek”, “Michael”, “Mark”, “Robert”
15.50–16.10 – Dr Ryszard Gryz Prof. UJK (University of Jan Kochanowski in Kielce), Agent “Iwa”. Fr Leonard Świderski cooperation with communist authorities
16.10 – 16.30 p.m. – Dr Leszek Zygmunt Prof. PANS (National Academy of Applied Sciences Ignacy Muscicki in Ciechanów), Fr Aleksander Policiewicz - underground soldier, "patriot priest", secret collaborator of safety apparatus
4.30 – 5 p.m. – discussion
5 p.m. to 5 p.m.20 – coffee break
Panel IV: 17.20–19.00
17.20–17.40 – Dr. Daniel Gucewicz (Institute of National Memory in Gdańsk), Dr. Leszek Molendowski (Museum of Gdańsk), Oliwaski bąk, or Fr.Anthony Bacinski (1917–1987), first Rector of the Bishop of the spiritual Seminary in Gdańsk-Oliwa, as a secret associate of the safety Service
17.40 – 6 p.m. – Dr. Krzysztof Busse (Institute of National Remembrance of the Radom Delegation), anatomical acquiescence: Fr. Sylwester Unknown – prisoner, provincial, informer
6 p.m. to 6 p.m.20 – Mateusz Sz Trapka (Institute of National Remembrance of the Delegation in Bydgoszcz), Chaplain of the General Dean of the Polish Academy of Fine Arts as an example of clergy working with communist authorities
18.20–18.40 – Dr. Artur Kuprianis (Institute of National Memory Branch in Łódź), A conscious choice. past of the cooperation of Fr Florian Klewiado with the safety Service (1969-1989)
6.40 a.m. – discussion
7:00 p.m. – first day of the conference
Day 2 – 26 June 2025
Panel V: 10.00-12.10
10 a.m. – 10 a.m. – Fr. Grzegorz Sokołowski (Archidiocesan Archives in Wrocław), average of Wrocław, Fr. Kazimierz Lagosz – a problem for the Church, a problem for power
10.20–10.40 – Tomasz Nocon (Silesian University in Katowice), The actions of the Vicar of the Vicar of Rev. Jan Piskorz in the Diocese of Katowice in the light of the telegram of Fr. Michał Lewek from the collections of the Apostolic Vatican Archives
10.40–11.00 – Piotr Pietryga (The Main School of Mikołaj Copernicus, Archive of the Institute of National Memory in Warsaw), Fr Edmund Konarski (1870-1951) – an old priest at the beginning of the activity of the Chief Commission of Priests at ZBoWiD
11 a.m. to 11.20 p.m. – Dr. Jan Hlebowicz (Institute of National Memory, Gdańsk Branch), Priest Communist? The pro-state activity of Fr Alfons Sarrach
11.20-11.40 – Dr. Łucja Marek (Institute of National Memory of the Branch in Krakow), “He is simply a affirmative priest” and “he was prepared by the reactionary clergy and church hierarchy”. Rev. Anatol Boczek's secret and secret work
11.40-12.10 – discussion
12.10-12.30 – coffee break
Panel VI: 12.30–14.20
12.30-12.50 – Dr. Elżbieta Wojcieszyk (Institute of National Memory Branch in Poznań), Fr. Edmund Lewandowski (1897-1976) - parish priest from Greater Poland Pniew - rallying the chief commission of priests at the Union of Freedom Fighters and Democracy – the phase of the case.
12.50–13.10 – Dr Jan Koteluk (Municipality-City Public Library in Czerwińsk), Krzysztof Mazur (Institute of National Memory Branch in Poznań), Fr Ludwik Mucha (1904-1962). erstwhile Hubalian chaplain, as a propaganda forpost of the green mountain “prince-patriots”
13.10–13.30 – Marcin Sanak, (Archivement of the Polish Dominican state in Krakow), Dominican priest-patriot – Fr Sebastian Młodecki OP (1891–1967)
13.30 – 13.50 – Fr.Dr. Jarosław Wąsowicz (The Salesian Archives of the Pilska Province), TW “Gramasz”. Case of Fr Eugenius Szmyt SDB
13.50 to 14.20 – discussion
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. – break
Panel VII: 15.00–17.10
3 p.m.–15.20 – Dr. Przemysław Misołek (Regional Museum in Jasle, Dr. Stanislaw Kadyi), Fr. Władysław Czyżewski – activist of the underground organization, prisoner of russian camps and secret associate of the safety Service
15.20–15.40 – Dr. Jarosław Durka Prof. UK (University of Kaliski), Co-operation of Fr. Ksawery Franciszek Sokołowski (1939-2015) with Częstochowa safety camera PRL
15.40 – 16.00 p.m. – Dr. Krzysztof Sychowicz (Institute of National Memory of the Bialystok Branch), Fr.
4 p.m. to 16.20 p.m. – Dr. Wojciech Łukaszewski (Ostrołęcki Adam Chętnik technological Society in Ostrołęka), Fr Tadeusz Niestepowski – secret associate and patriot priest
16.20–16.40 – Dr. Paweł Glugla, "I am an intruder and John without land." Agentural contacts of Rev. Jan Kaszelan CM (TW “Ikar”) with safety apparatus from 1964 to 1971
16.40 – 17.10 – discussion
5 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. – coffee break
Panel VIII: 17.30–19.20
17.30–17.50 – Dr. Rafał Łatka Prof. UKSW (Institute of National Memory in Warsaw), Informer, pedophile, bibliologist, ecclesiastical assistant “Więzi” and liar – Fr Michał Czajkowski long-time informant and secret associate of the safety apparatus about Jankowski
17.50–18.10 – Dr. Ewelina Ślązak (Institute of National Memory Branch in Łódź), Vicar General of the Diocese of Łódź and safety Service. Analysis of Fr Jan Żjarski's relation with safety in the context of the disciplinary case of Major Bolesław Kiszycki
18.10 to 6.30 p.m. – dr hab. Mariusz Krzysztofinski (Institute of National Memory Branch in Rzeszów), usage of agentry in disintegration activities by Department IV of the MMA – casus Fr Zbigniew Bonaventura Froga
6.30 – 6.50 p.m. – Dr. Grzegorz Majchrzak (Institute of National Memory in Warsaw), Fr Henryk Jankowski – informant, influence agent, player or talker?
6.50 to 19.20 – discussion
19.20 – closing of the conference
Photo:
Warsaw, February 1952. Meetings and National gathering of the Delegates of the Commission of Priests at ZBoWiD, attended by 350 clergy
The main foundation of the conference and subsequent publication of multi-author monographs will be to discuss how the functioning, relations with the provincial authorities and the ordinaries and suffragates of the diocese of priests cooperating with the authorities at the central and provincial level. The aim will be to present these issues as far as possible and in all the most crucial regions of Poland. In addition, in separate lectures, the approach of the central organization authorities and the Polish Episcopal to the problem of the activity of the said clergy group, which, as should be remembered, constituted a definite number among priests.
Conference programme
Day 1 – 25 June 2025
10.00 – beginning of the conference
Panel I: 10.20-12.10
10.20–10.40 – Dr. Zbigniew Bereszyński, Priests at the services of the communist authorities. Characteristics of various forms of cooperation on the example of selected figures from the territory of Namyślowski
10.40 a.m. – Rev. Dr. Dominik Sweeping prof. UKSW (University of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski), Collective image of the community of Caritas priests
11.00 – 11.20 – Prof. Paweł Skibiński (University of Warsaw), Polish movement of "the princes of patriots" - norm within the russian bloc or derogation from it?
11.20 – 11.40 p.m. – Dr. Karol Kubicki, “The Prince of Bieruta” – the founding story of the “Mountain-patriot” movement. Collective image of the “initiative group”
11.40-12.10 – discussion
12.10-12.30 – coffee break
Panel II: 12:30-14.30
12.30-12.50 – Fr. Caritas priests in the Diocese of Czestochowa. Collective portrait
12.50–13.10 – Dr. Zbigniew Stanuch (Institute of National Memory Branch in Szczecin), Environment of the “Prince of Patriots” in the Szczecin Voivodeship (1949-1956). Problem outline
13.10 to 1.30 p.m. – Dr. Robert Kolas (High School of Management in Konin), image of a common “moon of patriots” of Poznań Voivodeship
1.30 a.m. to 13.5 p.m. – Robert Sreejko, Priest activity in the peace defenders movement from 1950 to 1953
13.50–14.10 – Dr. Krzysztof Andrzej Kierski (Institute of National Remembrance of the Delegation in Olsztyn), Loyal to State Authorities – Fr Stefan Biskupski, Government of Warmia diocese
2 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. – discussion
2.30 p.m. to 15.10 p.m. – break
Panel III: 15.10–17.00
15.10 – 15.30 p.m. – Fr. Prof. Józef Marecki (Institute of National Memory in Warsaw), Fr. Stanislaw Skędecki – informant/source “Krystyna”, “Ptaszynska”
3.30–15.50 – Dr. Rafał Łatka Prof. UKSW (Institute of National Memory in Warsaw), Stachanowiec among the priestly informers. Father Krzysztof Dominik Michałowski: agent/inforator of “Frank”, TW pp. “Włodek”, “Michael”, “Mark”, “Robert”
15.50–16.10 – Dr Ryszard Gryz Prof. UJK (University of Jan Kochanowski in Kielce), Agent “Iwa”. Fr Leonard Świderski cooperation with communist authorities
16.10 – 16.30 p.m. – Dr Leszek Zygmunt Prof. PANS (National Academy of Applied Sciences Ignacy Muscicki in Ciechanów), Fr Aleksander Policiewicz - underground soldier, "patriot priest", secret collaborator of safety apparatus
4.30 – 5 p.m. – discussion
5 p.m. to 5 p.m.20 – coffee break
Panel IV: 17.20–19.00
17.20–17.40 – Dr. Daniel Gucewicz (Institute of National Memory in Gdańsk), Dr. Leszek Molendowski (Museum of Gdańsk), Oliwaski bąk, or Fr.Anthony Bacinski (1917–1987), first Rector of the Bishop of the spiritual Seminary in Gdańsk-Oliwa, as a secret associate of the safety Service
17.40 – 6 p.m. – Dr. Krzysztof Busse (Institute of National Remembrance of the Radom Delegation), anatomical acquiescence: Fr. Sylwester Unknown – prisoner, provincial, informer
6 p.m. to 6 p.m.20 – Mateusz Sz Trapka (Institute of National Remembrance of the Delegation in Bydgoszcz), Chaplain of the General Dean of the Polish Academy of Fine Arts as an example of clergy working with communist authorities
18.20–18.40 – Dr. Artur Kuprianis (Institute of National Memory Branch in Łódź), A conscious choice. past of the cooperation of Fr Florian Klewiado with the safety Service (1969-1989)
6.40 a.m. – discussion
7:00 p.m. – first day of the conference
Day 2 – 26 June 2025
Panel V: 10.00-12.10
10 a.m. – 10 a.m. – Fr. Grzegorz Sokołowski (Archidiocesan Archives in Wrocław), average of Wrocław, Fr. Kazimierz Lagosz – a problem for the Church, a problem for power
10.20–10.40 – Tomasz Nocon (Silesian University in Katowice), The actions of the Vicar of the Vicar of Rev. Jan Piskorz in the Diocese of Katowice in the light of the telegram of Fr. Michał Lewek from the collections of the Apostolic Vatican Archives
10.40–11.00 – Piotr Pietryga (The Main School of Mikołaj Copernicus, Archive of the Institute of National Memory in Warsaw), Fr Edmund Konarski (1870-1951) – an old priest at the beginning of the activity of the Chief Commission of Priests at ZBoWiD
11 a.m. to 11.20 p.m. – Dr. Jan Hlebowicz (Institute of National Memory, Gdańsk Branch), Priest Communist? The pro-state activity of Fr Alfons Sarrach
11.20-11.40 – Dr. Łucja Marek (Institute of National Memory of the Branch in Krakow), “He is simply a affirmative priest” and “he was prepared by the reactionary clergy and church hierarchy”. Rev. Anatol Boczek's secret and secret work
11.40-12.10 – discussion
12.10-12.30 – coffee break
Panel VI: 12.30–14.20
12.30-12.50 – Dr. Elżbieta Wojcieszyk (Institute of National Memory Branch in Poznań), Fr. Edmund Lewandowski (1897-1976) - parish priest from Greater Poland Pniew - rallying the chief commission of priests at the Union of Freedom Fighters and Democracy – the phase of the case.
12.50–13.10 – Dr Jan Koteluk (Municipality-City Public Library in Czerwińsk), Krzysztof Mazur (Institute of National Memory Branch in Poznań), Fr Ludwik Mucha (1904-1962). erstwhile Hubalian chaplain, as a propaganda forpost of the green mountain “prince-patriots”
13.10–13.30 – Marcin Sanak, (Archivement of the Polish Dominican state in Krakow), Dominican priest-patriot – Fr Sebastian Młodecki OP (1891–1967)
13.30 – 13.50 – Fr.Dr. Jarosław Wąsowicz (The Salesian Archives of the Pilska Province), TW “Gramasz”. Case of Fr Eugenius Szmyt SDB
13.50 to 14.20 – discussion
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. – break
Panel VII: 15.00–17.10
3 p.m.–15.20 – Dr. Przemysław Misołek (Regional Museum in Jasle, Dr. Stanislaw Kadyi), Fr. Władysław Czyżewski – activist of the underground organization, prisoner of russian camps and secret associate of the safety Service
15.20–15.40 – Dr. Jarosław Durka Prof. UK (University of Kaliski), Co-operation of Fr. Ksawery Franciszek Sokołowski (1939-2015) with Częstochowa safety camera PRL
15.40 – 16.00 p.m. – Dr. Krzysztof Sychowicz (Institute of National Memory of the Bialystok Branch), Fr.
4 p.m. to 16.20 p.m. – Dr. Wojciech Łukaszewski (Ostrołęcki Adam Chętnik technological Society in Ostrołęka), Fr Tadeusz Niestepowski – secret associate and patriot priest
16.20–16.40 – Dr. Paweł Glugla, "I am an intruder and John without land." Agentural contacts of Rev. Jan Kaszelan CM (TW “Ikar”) with safety apparatus from 1964 to 1971
16.40 – 17.10 – discussion
5 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. – coffee break
Panel VIII: 17.30–19.20
17.30–17.50 – Dr. Rafał Łatka Prof. UKSW (Institute of National Memory in Warsaw), Informer, pedophile, bibliologist, ecclesiastical assistant “Więzi” and liar – Fr Michał Czajkowski long-time informant and secret associate of the safety apparatus about Jankowski
17.50–18.10 – Dr. Ewelina Ślązak (Institute of National Memory Branch in Łódź), Vicar General of the Diocese of Łódź and safety Service. Analysis of Fr Jan Żjarski's relation with safety in the context of the disciplinary case of Major Bolesław Kiszycki
18.10 to 6.30 p.m. – dr hab. Mariusz Krzysztofinski (Institute of National Memory Branch in Rzeszów), usage of agentry in disintegration activities by Department IV of the MMA – casus Fr Zbigniew Bonaventura Froga
6.30 – 6.50 p.m. – Dr. Grzegorz Majchrzak (Institute of National Memory in Warsaw), Fr Henryk Jankowski – informant, influence agent, player or talker?
6.50 to 19.20 – discussion
19.20 – closing of the conference
Photo:
Warsaw, February 1952. Meetings and National gathering of the Delegates of the Commission of Priests at ZBoWiD, attended by 350 clergy
