Published: 2019-12-151

Bishop Józef Drzazga – the duties of ministerial priesthood

Andrzej Kopiczko
Echa Przeszłości
Section: ARTICLES
https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.4845

Abstract

Józef Drzazga was the first bishop of the Warmian diocese after World War II who was appointed to the office by the Pope in 1972. His appointment was largely motivated by political reasons and the absence of border regulations between Poland the Federal Republic of Germany. Drzazga was also a vicar capitular and an apostolic administrator. He was a member of the Second Vatican Council, a rector of the Hosianum Metropolitan Seminary of Warmia, vicar general and head of the Pastoral Faculty. Drzazga received the pallium after being consecrated to the office of the bishop of Warmia. During his term in office, the Frombork cathedral was granted the title of a minor basilica, the paintings of the Virgin Mary in Gietrzwałd and Święta Lipka were crowned, the request for the beatification of Cardinal Stanisław Hozjusz was renewed, the Pastoral Council was created, a library and an archive were built, the Gietrzwałd revelation was approved by the Church, and legal titles were acquired to the former protestant churches in Rozogi, Kociołek Szlachecki, Nakomiady and Nowa Wieś. The bishop consecrated 148 priests, and established 41 new parishes between 1972 and 1978. He headed the diocese during the hard time of conflict between the State and the Catholic Church. He was often interrogated by the chairman of the Provincial Presidium of the National Council and the Department of Religious Denominations in Olsztyn. Drzazga also faced opposition from priests who were members of the Caritas Catholics Association. The diocese was subjected to other forms of political repression, such as the conscription of the Seminary’s alumni. A total of 68 alumni, i.e. 20% of the Seminary’s students, were drafted for military service between 1965 and 1979. Drzazga died in 1978 and was buried in Saint Jacob’s Cathedral Church in Olsztyn.

Keywords:

Józef Drzazga, Warmian diocese, bishops, clergy, priesthood

Download files

Citation rules

Kopiczko, A. (2019). Bishop Józef Drzazga – the duties of ministerial priesthood. Echa Przeszłości, (XX/1). https://doi.org/10.31648/ep.4845

Cited by / Share

Plum Print visual indicator of research metrics
  • Captures
    • Readers: 1
  • Mentions
    • References: 2
see details

This website uses cookies for proper operation, in order to use the portal fully you must accept cookies.