The 1965 message of the Polish bishops to the German bishops has a chance to make it to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Wojciech Kucharski, Ph.D., Deputy Director of the Zajezdnia History Center in Wroclaw, announced that the relevant application had been submitted to a specialized UN organization.
Photo by Sr. Amata J. Nowaszewska / FNS
Historians and archaeologists stressed that the 1965 message conveys the truth. „The bishops acknowledge the facts from the past between Poland and Germany. They also discuss the difficult aspects of the relations between the two countries. The second element is dialogue, which means being willing to understand the other side, accept their arguments, and discuss things with respect. The letter also emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, which is a key step towards reconciliation.”
The scientist notes that the message acknowledges faults on both sides. „There is a very Christian phrase there – we forgive and ask for forgiveness. When victims or representatives of the victimized nation speak to the oppressors’ nation, this raises the document to a very high Christian level,” Wojciech Kucharski stresses.
Maciej Malyga, Auxiliary Bishop of Wroclaw, recalls the critical role of the then the ordinary of the diocese, Archbishop Boleslaw Kominek. „He was the primary author of the Polish bishops’ message to the German bishops. Of course, the entire Church supported it,” he says. „The manuscript of the message is significant for the Archdiocese of Wroclaw. The words about reconciliation between the Polish and German peoples are Gospel-rooted. Wroclaw also has a complex history, and we want it to be a history of reconciliation so that this Gospel message spreads worldwide. We all need reconciliation in various fields,” – emphasizes the bishop.