New Polish primate named

May 10, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI has named Archbishop Jozef Kowalczyk as Archbishop of Gniezno and primate of Poland. He will replace Archbishop Henryk Muszynski, who is retiring at the age of 77.

Historically the Archbishop of Gniezno presided over a see that included Warsaw, and carried the title of primate of Poland. In 1992, when he restructured the Polish hierarchy and separated the Gniezno see from the Archdiocese of Warsaw, Pope John Paul II stipulated that Cardinal Jozef Glemp, who became Archbishop of Warsaw, would retain his title as Polish primate until his 80th birthday. In 2009, when Cardinal Glemp turned 80, Archbishop Muszynski became the primate.

The incoming primate, Archbishop Muszynski, has served since 1989 as the apostolic nuncio in Poland.

 

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Further information:

• Other Pontifical Acts (VIS)
• Pope appoints a new top church leader in Poland (AP)
• Archbishop Józef Kowalczyk, the country’s Apostolic Nuncio has been appointed the Primate of Poland. (Polskie Radio)