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Polish archbishop appeals for unity as pilgrims flock to Marian shrine

PR dla Zagranicy
Grzegorz Siwicki 10.09.2017 18:00
A senior Polish Catholic Church leader on Sunday called for unity amid divisions as tens of thousands of pilgrims attended religious ceremonies in the shrine of Gietrzwałd in the northeast of the country.
Thousands of faithful in procession to mark the 140th anniversary of the Vatican-recognised Marian apparitions in Gietrzwałd on Sunday. Photo: PAP/Tomasz WaszczukThousands of faithful in procession to mark the 140th anniversary of the Vatican-recognised Marian apparitions in Gietrzwałd on Sunday. Photo: PAP/Tomasz Waszczuk

Archbishop Wojciech Polak, the Primate of Poland, said in a homily that the Polish people needed a “uniting and peaceful force” in their family, personal and social lives to counter “dangerous and destructive” rifts that he said “are uncalled-for and make us look ridiculous in the eyes of others.”

The Gietrzwałd ceremonies marked 140 years since Vatican-recognised Marian apparitions in this small village in the Warmia region of Poland.

Papal Nuncio Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio and a slew of state officials were among those taking part.

President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Beata Szydło have both written letters to the pilgrims. The messages were read out during the ceremonies by their aides. (gs/pk)

Source: IAR, PAP

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