embassy events 2007 

23rd anniversary of the death of Father Jerzy Popieluszko 

12 October 2007 

Father Jerzy Popieluszko

October 19 will mark the 23rd anniversary of the death of Father Jerzy Popieluszko, the spiritual pillar of the Solidarity trade union. Father Popieluszko gave early spiritual support to the workers who were to form the Solidarity trade union, and his defiance of the communist regime resulted in the government's repeated attempts to intimidate him. Father Popieluszko was subsequently abducted and murdered by Polish security forces on October 19, 1984. His courage and moral strength are commemorated throughout Poland in countless memorials, including a plaque mounted on the commemorative wall outside the famous Gdansk shipyard that spawned Solidarity. "Father Popieluszko was a true, modern-day, Polish hero and martyr, who died in the struggle for freedom in his beloved Poland. His courageous support of Solidarity in the face of oppression is an inspiration to all freedom-loving people around the world,” Ambassador Ashe said in recalling the anniversary of Father Popieluszko’s death.