The church is Poland is still far too powerful in spite of the formal separation of church and state. If you wish to formally leave the church you have to make an appointment with your local parish priest (in the presence of 2 witnesses) to convince him of your intentions and reasons with no guarantee of a favourable outcome. In Germany, where I live, it’s a bit easier but still requires formal renouncement at your local registry office..

That is why it is important for us to speak “truly”, for what comes out of the mouth is what the heart should be full of (loving words), and the hands should be capable of (kind actions). Otherwise, what the mouth speaks is a regurgitation of what should have passed “through”, and “downward”, as waste, for the dung-heap; the work of unkind hands is fit only for the trash.

As to whether Archbishop Michalic IS an arsehole, or not, I’m happy to leave that decision with our maker. But in the meantime, I would say that your assessment is on balance, probably “right”; and that bullies of all stripes should be exposed. Adult bullies who knowingly abuse the trust placed in them by children, need to be removed from positions of power for their own good, as well.

However, not one of us is free from “sin” (unkind actions) over a lifetime; not one religion or philosophy can change that. Where people suffer abuses, we can be sure that what is reported is only the “tip of the iceberg”.

It is only possible to report those abuses in free societies, and for this hard won freedom (now gradually extending across the globe), we should “give thanks”, and extend our efforts for truthfulness into those areas still in the grip of religious, philosophical, economic, sexual, ethnic etc tyrannies, where equality is never preached or even discussed. That is the responsibility of the truly free.

Many thanks Bruce for your blog, which has enabled me to respond as I have, from the Land of Aus, downunder !