Vatican City, Nov 10, 2003 / 22:00 pm
Pope John Paul II received on Tuesday representatives from the Polish trade union “Solidarnosc” (Solidarity), founded on Christian ethics and the social teaching of the Catholic Church, and recalled its successful peaceful fight against Communism.
Addressing the delegation, which included former President Lech Walesa, and Archbishop Tadeusz Goclowski, head of pastoral care in the work force of the Polish Episcopal Conference, the Pope recalled that this meeting takes place on November 11, the anniversary of the institution of the Polish Republic in 1918.
“National freedom was regained that day,” said the Holy Father, “after years of fighting that cost our nation so much deprivation and sacrifice.” “This exterior freedom did not last but we have always been able to call upon it in the fight to preserve interior freedom, freedom of spirit,” he added.
The Pontiff reviewed the history of “Solidarnosc,” recalling it was born among those who fought against “the programmed suppression of man’s freedom, the humiliation of his dignity and the negation of his fundamental rights” and he affirmed that these principles went on to become “the foundation for peaceful changes” in Poland.