Tadeusz Rydzyk

Father Rydzyk, Poland’s religious media tycoon, is launching a mobile communications network.

The Lux Veritas foundation belonging to Father Tadeusz Rydzyk - founder of the controversial Radio Maryja and Television Trwam - has signed an agreement with mobile communications provider CenterNet, which belongs to Roman Karkosik, one of the richest entrepreneurs in Poland, to launch a mobile network called wRodzinie (inFamily).

The network will start operating this summer on the occasion of an annual pilgrimage by Radio Maryja’s listeners to the Jasna Gora Monastery, the main shrine of Virgin Mary - by many considered to be the spiritual capital of Poland.

Mobile communications provider wRodzinie will open 2,000 shops and stands, offering prepaid mobile phone services. In the future wRodzinie also plans to offer regular contracts, where clients pay a monthly fee.

Father Rydzyk hopes that his religious mobile phone service will attract users of his media empire - including listeners of the ultra-conservative Radio Maryja, viewers of TV Trwam, students of the University of Social & Medial Culture in Torun, and readers of the Nasz Dziennik daily.

“Everyone will be able to buy a SIM card but we will make sure that wRodzinie shops and stands will be located in places convenient for our target group. We will also provide free calls to Lux Veritas related media,” said Anna Golebicka from CenterNet.

The development of the wRodzinie mobile communications network will cost 160 million zlotys (35 million euros). CenterNet hopes to attract half a million clients by the end of the year. (mg/pg)