Priest Krzysztof Wilk Returns to Kraków Parish After Dispute Over Removal

Vatican body reverses removal

Parishioners learned on Sunday, 11 October, that Wilk could return as pastor, RMF24 reported (Tysiąc dni walczył z decyzją arcybiskupa Jędraszewskiego. Proboszcz wrócił do parafii – RMF24). The Dicastery for the Clergy withdrew a decree issued by then-Metropolitan Archbishop of Kraków Marek Jędraszewski, who had removed Wilk from the post, RMF24 said, citing the decision's reversal. The removal dates to December 2023, according to the same report.

Grounds left unexplained

When the removal was announced, the parties did not publicly disclose the reasons for the decision, the report said, citing Gość Niedzielny. The matter stayed unresolved for roughly three years, a period the priest described as a fight of about 1,000 days, RMF24 reported.

Priest addresses congregation

At Mass, Wilk apologised for his absence and said he had needed to pursue the case at length and at a higher level to clarify it, Gość Niedzielny reported. He told parishioners he had remained their pastor in the eyes of the Church, citing the Latin phrase "Roma locuta, causa finita" ("Rome has spoken, the matter is closed"). According to the weekly, the congregation responded with loud applause.

Key facts

• Date of announcement: Sunday, 11 October
• Decree issued: December 2023, by Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski
• Time between removal and reinstatement: about three years, or roughly 1,000 days

The reversal was made by a Holy See body in Rome, not by the local archdiocese. The reporting does not state which procedure was used or whether the archdiocese or the Dicastery has issued an official statement; both remain to be confirmed.