Stefan Wyszynski, 1901–1981
Born in Zuzela, Poland, Stefan Wyszynski obtained a doctorate in sociology. He was active during the Second World War in the operation of the secret underground system of Polish schools and lectured regularly to university students. He took part in the Warsaw uprising of 1944 as a camp and hospital priest with close connections to the armed forces of the Polish Resistance. He became Roman Catholic primate of Poland and archbishop of Gniezno and Warsaw in October 1948 and a cardinal four years later, as well as heading the bishops’ conference. Wyszynski believed in persistent, but flexible opposition to communist rule. Arrested in 1953, he was allowed to return to Warsaw in October 1956 and resume his position as head of the Polish church. He exploited the temporary weakening of the communist party to gain greater independence for the church. The prestige of Wyszynski (already known as the Primate of the Millennium) was among the main factors that persuaded the regime of Wladys³aw Gomulka, after 1970, to show restraint towards the church. The election of Karol Wojtyla as Pope John Paul II in 1978 led to further international enhancement of Wyszyñski’s reputation.
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