Warsaw
Outed as a former secret-police collaborator, Polish Archbishop Stanislaw Wielgus resigned this week, just two days after being ordained. Wielgus had steadfastly denied spying for the communist-era government. But the Gazeta Polska newspaper discovered documents that Wielgus signed as a student in Germany in the 1970s showing that he agreed to spy on U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe, as well as on fellow students. Another prominent priest, Father Janusz Bielanski of Krakow’s Wawel Cathedral, also resigned over similar past collaboration. As a leading opponent of communism in Poland, the Catholic Church was a coveted target for secret police recruitment.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
What does Health and Human Services do?The Explainer Cuts will 'dramatically alter' public health in America
-
Trump's actions cut a wide swath across Hawaii's economyIn Depth The state's tourism and farming sectors are two of the largest hit industries
-
5 immersive books to read this April for a brief escapeThe Week Recommends A dystopian tale takes us to the library, a journalist's ode to her refugee parents and more
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to goThe Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala HarrisThe Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
