Father Jerzy Popiełuszko, murdered by communist secret service officers twenty five years ago, has received a posthumous Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest state distinction.

President Lech Kaczyński handed the Order to the priest’s mother, Marianna Popiełuszko, after a mass celebrated last night in Warsaw’s St Stanislaus Church, where Father Popiełuszko worked and where he is buried.

In his remarks, President Kaczyński recalled the Solidarity revolution of 1980. ‘It was a time when Poland mobilized itself to the struggle for freedom and the truth. Father Popieluszko used to say that a lack of truth lies at the roots of all crises. These words, unfortunately, remain topical in today’s free Poland’, the President said.

Popiełuszko was murdered by communist security agents 25 years ago this week. (mk)