The Franciscan order in Poland is going to open the Academy of Hebrew Philology in the northern city of Torun.

It will be the second high school run by a Catholic order in Torun. In 2001 the Redemptorists under the controversial founder of Radio Maryja Father Tadeusz Rydzyk established the University of Social and Media Culture there.

“It is not our intention to compete with Father Rydzyk’s school,” assures father Leonard Bielecki  from the Franciscan order.

In the newly opened academy 45 students will learn biblical, rabbinic and contemporary Hebrew as well as biblical archeology. In the future the school plans to open Yiddish and Judaism classes and a course for travel guides for the Holy Land.  (mg)