Cardinal Dziwisz Testifies in Lawsuit Filed by Pedophile Priest's Victim

Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, the retired archbishop of Krakow, appeared in court to testify in a lawsuit filed by Janusz Szymik. Szymik is seeking 20 million zlotys in damages from the Archdiocese of Krakow and a parish in Międzybrodzie Bialskie. He alleges he was sexually abused by the then-parish priest, Father Jan W., between 1984 and 1989 when he was a child.

Lawyers for Szymik suggested that Dziwisz might have known about Father Jan W.'s actions, as they had received signals from Father Tadeusz Isakowicz-Zaleski requesting intervention in the matter. During his nearly hour-long testimony, the former metropolitan archbishop of Krakow was questioned by the plaintiff's attorney about his knowledge of Father Jan W.

Dziwisz stated that he recognized Father Jan W. as he knew all the priests in the archdiocese. However, he claimed to have had no personal or social contact with him. He also testified that he was unaware of the circumstances under which Father Jan W. became secretary to the then-metropolitan archbishop of Krakow, Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, as Dziwisz himself was in Rome at the time.

"For 27 years in the Vatican, I was the Pope's secretary and did not concern myself, because I had no way to, with what was happening in the diocese, because I had other matters due to my position," the prelate said. The court is examining whether Dziwisz had knowledge of the abuse and failed to act.

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For 27 years in the Vatican, I was the Pope's secretary and did not concern myself, because I had no way to, with what was happening in the diocese, because I had other matters due to my position.