The Role of Bishop of Przemyśl Ignacy Tokarczuk in the Rise and Development of the Anti-Communist Opposition in Poland

Abstract

This article presents the social activity of Ignacy Tokarczuk, the bishop of Przemyśl, influencing the emergence and development of the anti-communist opposition. In 2006, the hierarch was awarded the highest state decoration—the Order of the White Eagle—by the President of Poland for his work for democratization of social life and protection of human rights. The study aims to determine the bishop’s role in the process of organizing and supporting opposition structures, especially in south-eastern Poland. It relies on the analysis of interviews, memories and scientific studies. Analysing interviews with members of the anti-communist opposition and clergy was of particular importance in the research process, which made it possible to describe and explain the bishop’s attitude and behavior towards the anti-communist movement. It was stated that Tokarczuk’s involvement in the activities of the anti-communist opposition appeared to be extremely important for the functioning of independent structures in the Subcarpathian Region, especially during the period of martial law in Poland.