Despite not being formally the top clergy in Poland, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, former aid to John Paul II, is the most powerful person in the Polish Roman Catholic Church who also influences Polish political stage.

An archbishop of Krakow has always been an influential figure in the Polish Church – be it Cardinal Sapieha, Karol Wojtyla (future Pope John Paul II) or Macharski. The same is true about Cardinal Dziwisz who is an eminence grise of the Polish Church. While the supreme power in the Church lies in the hands of the Primate and the Archbishop of Gniezno Jozef Kowalczyk, it is Cardinal Dziwisz who pulls the strings. The former John Paul II’s Secretary is also an influential figure on Polish political stage.

It was particularly evident after the Smolensk tragedy when Cardinal Dziwisz took a rather unpopular decision to bury the late President Lech Kaczynski and the First Lady Maria Kaczynska at the Wawel Cathedral near the tombs of Polish kings.

Cardinal Dziwisz is surrounded by his trusted advisors, including priests: Dariusz Ras, his private secretary, Robert Necek, spokesman of the metropolitan curia, Jan Machniak, author of Dziwisz’s homilies. Priest Ras decides who and when can visit Cardinal Dziwisz, which is quite a tough job since there are several dozen people a day who wish to see the Cardinal.

However, it is not the Dziwisz’ front men, but a small circle of the Cardinal’s close associates from the secretary, who are said to be the real Church think tank. (mg)

Source: Polska The Times