Archbishop Jozef Kowalczyk is quitting as apostolic nuncio to Poland and assume the duties of the archbishop of Gniezno and primate of Poland on June 26.

On 8 May, the Pope Benedict XVI appointed Jozef Kowalczyk the archbishop of Gniezno and primate of Poland. Kowalczyk’s episcopal enthronement will take place on 26 June in the cathedral in the central-western city of Gniezno, which has a similar status to Canterbury or Reims cathedrals in Great Britain and France.

During the celebrations of St. Peter and Paul’s Day, 29 June, Archbishop Kowalczyk will receive a pallium, an ecclesiastical vestment worn by metropolitans and primates, from the Pope.

Jozef Kowalczyk has served as the first apostolic nuncio to Poland since II WW for over twenty years. He negotiated with Polish authorities the text of the concordat signed in 1993

Until a new apostolic nuncio is appointed, the secretary of the nunciature Father Ionut Paul Strejac will act as charge d’affairs. (mg)