The Vatican saw Poland as a “counterweight to Western European secularism”, but many Holy See high ranking officials also regarded the nation as the US’s “Trojan horse” within the EU, according to a 2006 US Embassy cable released by Wikileaks.

The US cable also notes “nationalistic or divisive forces with a Catholic label, such as media outlets under the control of Polish station Radio Maryja” and how a former Polish education minister, Roman Giertych, is a member of Opus Dei.

On the eve of Pope Benedict’s visit to Poland in May 2006  - just over a year after the death of John Paul II - the US Embassy in the Vatican summed up the Holy See’s attitude to Poland as part of the European flock.

Defender of the faith

A cable dated 23 May labelled ‘confidential’ says that the Vatican remains in the view that Poland‘s entry into the European Union could have a positive effect for the faith on the institution.

“The Holy See hopes that Poland will hold the line at the EU on "life and family" issues that arise,” says the cable from the US Embassy.

The cable also records a conversation with Polish Msgr. Dariusz Giers who stated there was suspicion from many in the Vatican in 2006, in the shadow of its staunch support for the US’s war in Iraq, that Poland was doing America’s bidding within Europe.

“Looking at Poland's position in Europe and the EU, several Polish interlocutors told us that Western European suspicion of Poland as a "Trojan horse" for the U.S. in the EU was not just a phenomenon among the laity - it had also infected the Vatican,” says the cable.

"‘We definitely get that feeling" from a few of the French, German and other Western European prelates at the Vatican, said Giers. The war in Iraq, unpopular among many Vatican officials, has certainly played a role here.

“Traditional Polish affection for the U.S seems as strong as ever among the Polish clergy stationed or studying in Rome," the cable contimues. "In conversations at a dinner not long ago at the Polish College, several seminarians and priests made a point of praising the U.S. and lauding [US] foreign policy.”

Maryja

The cable reports the unease with which Vatican Foreign Minister Giovanni Lajolo views the nationalist and ultra-conservative Radio Maryja, which it notes has been accused of “anti-Semitism”.

While concerned over the media group’s dabbling in politics, the cable says that Pope Benedict does not want to get involved in the controversy and that Radio Maryja is a Polish problem to fix.

The cable reports a conversation with Banach Samerek at the Polish Embassy to the Holy See.

“Banach told us that [Foreign Minister] Lajolo told more than one group of bishops that they had to deal with Radio Maryja themselves as part of their "pastoral responsibilities". Though media attributed some comments critical of Radio Maryja to Pope Benedict, the Holy See clearly did not want to get involved.”

Poles ‘ubiquitous’ in Vatican

The US embassy cable also says that the crowds from Poland that regularly flock to the Vatican, and the large presence of Poles working there, remain, even after the death of the Polish Pope in 2005, giving the place “a Polish flavour”.

“In the aftermath of the death of the Polish pope, Pole-weary Italian journalists heralded the impending exodus of Poles from Rome and the Vatican Curia (bureaucracy)…[But] although it was inevitable that the death of John Paul would signal a change in the relationship between Poland and the Holy See, the bond remains strong. The Vatican has continued to play close attention to Poland and Poles continue to wield great influence in Vatican City,” says the cable.

After listing some names of Poles in high ranking positions within the Vatican hierarchy, such as Monsignor Antoni Stankiewicz, Archbishop Edward Nowak and Monsignor Krzysztof Nitkiewicz, the cable also notes the appointment by Pope Benedict of Wojciech Giertych as theologian of the Papal Household, who is uncle to the then education minister Roman Giertych - member of what has been described as a 'controversial force' within the Catholic Church.

“Giertych is the son of well-known Polish nationalist Jedrzej Giertych (1903-92), and brother of Maciej Giertych of the League of Polish Families party in Poland. Maciej's son, Roman, is the newly-named Education Minister (as reported by Embassy Warsaw) and a member of the Catholic organization, Opus Dei,” says the telegram. (pg)

source: Guardian