Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko, Solidarity chaplain murdered by communist functionaries 25 years ago, is to be beatified in Warsaw on the 6th of June.

Joanna Najfeld reports

Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko was abducted, tortured and murdered in October 1984 by communist functionaries. Leading up to his tragic death, the charismatic Solidarity chaplain was constantly spied on by communist secret police and subjected to spiteful media propaganda, arrests under various pretexts, interrogation, threats, and other forms or repression. All because he preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nation oppressed by the Soviet imposed dictatorship.

 
Fr. Jerzy was considered a martyr for the faith already at the time of his death, and was frequently mentioned as such by Pope John Paul II. Fr. Jerzy's tomb at St. Stanisław Kostka church in Warsaw, guarded 24/7 by volunteers continuously for the past 25 years, has been already visited by about 18 million people from all over the world, including important figures of the international scene, such as Popes, presidents, ambassadors, and others. His monuments are scattered the world over.