Wizyta duszpasterska ks. kard. Józefa Glempa, Prymasa Polski w Anglii, Walii i Szkocji w dniach od 21 lutego do 4 marca 1985 roku oraz w Irlandii w dniach od 18 do 23 stycznia 1988 roku

Abstract

The article describes a pastoral visit by Cardinal Jozef Glemp, the Polish Primate in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) in 1985 and a visit in Ireland in 1988. The author portrays the significant meaning of the visit equally to the Polish Catholic community on the British Isles and to the Primate’s unprecedented contribution in building a bridge between the Polish and the British communities. The visit contributed to the better understanding by the British people of the history, mentality and the cultural values of the society of the Polish nation. At the same time it also helped to influence a lively ecumenical dialog between Christian communities in Great Britain. It highlighted to the Western world the difficult political situation of the communist Poland, oppressed by leaders hostile to the church. The visit by Cardinal Glemp assisted greatly in initiating new programmes of helping Poles back home in areas of medicine, culture and society in general. The author reminds us of the significance of the Primate’s visit, vividly commented by the British media: television, radio and the press, which unanimously related with great respect and recognition for the Head of the Polish Church and all its official meetings with the hierarchy of the Catholic and Anglican churches in Britain.