Józef Kowalczyk

Józef Kowalczyk ( born August 28, 1938 in Jadowniki Mokre, Poland) is a former Vatican diplomat, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Gniezno and thus Primate of Poland.

Life

After studying Catholic theology and philosophy at the seminary Hosianum Olsztyn ( Olsztyn ) he received on 14 January 1962, when Bishop Józef Drzazga the priesthood and was incardinated in the Diocese of Warmia.

Subsequently, he was a chaplain in the parish of Holy Trinity Kwidzyn ( Marienwerder ). In 1963, he was released for doctoral studies at the Catholic University of Lublin, which he continued from 1965 at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and in 1968 awarded the degree of Doctor of Law. can. completed. He also studied at the Roman Rota studying Rotale, from which he graduated with the exam for Rota - lawyers, and training as an archivist at the Vatican Archive school.

From 1969 to 1978 he was a member of the Congregation for the Sacraments and worship. He was also a 1976-1978 multiply the delegation of Luigi Poggi, the particular duties with the Government of Poland negotiated as Apostolic Nuncio to improve the situation of the Polish Catholic Church. Pope Paul VI. gave him on 10 February 1977 honorary title chaplain of His Holiness ( Monsignor ). From 1978 he was the organizer and manager of the Polish section of the Vatican Secretariat of State.

Pope John Paul II awarded him on January 2, 1987, title of Honorary Prelate of His Holiness.

On August 26, 1989, Pope John Paul II appointed Titular Archbishop of Heraclea and Apostolic Nuncio in Poland. He received his episcopal consecration John Paul II on October 20 that same year in St. Peter's Basilica; Co-consecrators were Curia Archbishop Edward Idris Cassidy and his predecessor as Apostolic Nuncio to Poland, Francesco Colasuonno.

As nuncio, he was responsible for the negotiation and signing of the Concordat between the Holy See and Poland in 1993 and for the preparation and organization of the visits of John Paul II (1991, 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2002) and Benedict XVI. (2006) in Poland.

8 May 2010 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him. the Metropolitan Archbishop of Gniezno and Primate of Poland. The inauguration took place on 26 June of the same year.

In August 2013 Kowalczyk called for the introduction of compulsory attendance at Roman Catholic religious instruction for all Polish students as a prerequisite for graduation.

Honors

• 2003: Merit Pro Merito Melitensi ( Grand Cross per piis meritis )
• 2007: Order of Merit
• 2008: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit
• 2010: Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta

Józef Kowalczyk was awarded honorary doctorates by the following universities: