Łódzkie ośrodki pomocy dla represjonowanych w stanie wojennym

Martial law is still being perceived as “minor evil” near by a half of polish society. Every year on the anniversary of introduction martial law we can follow many discussions on TV. The main topic is “what could have happened, if the Soviet army had crossed polish boarder”. Whereas the topic of assistance of polish Church for “Solidarność” is often being omitted. In the region of Łódź there were two centers of help for the internments members of the opposition and their families. The first: Center of Help for the Dependents, Internments and Their Families was managed by Jesuit father Stefan Miecznikowski. The second: Center of Help for the Unemployed Persons (for political reasons) was managed by priest Antoni Głowa. Both of these centers were cooperating during three years of marital law an giving help and shelter for hundreds of political prisoners and their families. Mentioned centers couldn’t have operated if there hadn’t been efficient support from Metropolitan Bishop Józef Rozwadowski. His person and the whole Episcopal Curia in Łódź became the third, informal center of assistance for members of the opposition. Concluding the problem of martial law there is a need to emphasize that it has many other aspects than political and military ones. Approaching this problem from different sides we can realize that there wouldn’t have been “Solidarność” if there hadn’t been an assistance from polish Church in these hard times.