Henryk Jankowski, Pro-Solidarity Priest, Dies at 73
The Rev. Henryk Jankowski, a Polish priest who gained prominence in the 1980s by supporting Lech Walesa’s Solidarity movement but later saw his reputation marred by anti-Semitic remarks and an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, died on Monday in Gdansk. He was 73.
His death was announced by Pawel Adamowicz, the mayor of Gdansk. Mr. Adamowicz did not give a cause of death, but Polish news reports noted that Father Jankowski had battled diabetes for years.
Father Jankowski, who was the parish priest for the St. Brygida church in Gdansk, came to national prominence when he celebrated Masses for shipyard workers striking under Mr. Walesa’s leadership — resistance that paved the way for Communism’s eventual demise in Poland. He was one of many priests who waded into dangerous waters to support Solidarity’s struggle for freedom against Communist rule....
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His death was announced by Pawel Adamowicz, the mayor of Gdansk. Mr. Adamowicz did not give a cause of death, but Polish news reports noted that Father Jankowski had battled diabetes for years.
Father Jankowski, who was the parish priest for the St. Brygida church in Gdansk, came to national prominence when he celebrated Masses for shipyard workers striking under Mr. Walesa’s leadership — resistance that paved the way for Communism’s eventual demise in Poland. He was one of many priests who waded into dangerous waters to support Solidarity’s struggle for freedom against Communist rule....