Studia Pastoralne
Rocznik Wydziału Teologicznego UŚ

Karol Wojtyła’s participation in the work of The Polish Episcopate Conference and its specialist committees (1958–1978)
Summary
The aim of this paper is to present the leading role of Karol Wojtyła in the works of the Episcopal Conference of Poland (ECP) in 1958–1978. Therefore, the main research problem will be a description of Karol Wojtyła’s participation and actual influence on activities of the Episcopal Conference of Poland, together with evaluation of the effects of his activities. The following hypotheses can be formulated. 1) Karol Wojtyła’s influence on works of the Episcopal Conference of Poland evolved along with his changing position in the Episcopate structures (a strong trend for the increasing influence); 2) Karol Wojtyła undertook multi-faceted, multi-directional and multidimensional actions; 3) actions undertook by Karol Wojtyła in the Episcopate of Poland significantly influenced development of relationships between the state and the Church. The studies conducted using the historical (genetic) method and content analyses allow to present the following factual data.
Karol Wojtyła played an important role in works of the Episcopal Conference of Poland and its specialist committees. From 1958 (his appointment as the suffragan bishop of Krakow) he was a member of the ECP, and in 1964 (appointment as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Krakow) he joined the top management group – EP Main Committee/Main Board. As a part of the tasks he was appointed then, he prepared pastoral letters and participated in development of relationships with PRL government; he was also responsible for contacts with the Apostolic See and episcopal conferences abroad; and inspired changes in the organisational structure, aims and tasks of the Episcopal Conference of Poland. His participation in works of specialist committees represented an important part of his involvement with the Episcopal Conference of Poland. During twenty years of his service as a bishop Karol Wojtyła was a member of the following commissions: Commission for the Lay Apostolate – chairman in 1966–1978; Subcomission for Studies – chairman in 1967–1970; Commission for Catholic Education – chairman in 1970–1978; Science Council – chairman in 1972–1978; Commission for Christian Ministry – member in 1958–1978; Council Commission – member in 1963–1970; and Vocations Committee – member in 1967–1970. The number and the diversity of proposals, projects, and postulates notified by him prove the unique intellect, organisational skills and leadership skills of the future pope.

LA CATHÉDRALE DE WAWEL DANS LES HOMÉLIES DE L'ÉVÊQUE ET CARDINAL KAROL WOJTYLA
La cathédrale de Wawel a joué un rôle particulier dans la vie de Karol Wojtyla. C'est dans cette église qu'il a dit sa messe d'ordination et le 28 septembre 1958 il a été ordonné évêque. Dans les années 1958-1978, quand il était évêque-vicaire général, ensuite vicaire capitulaire, archevêque et cardinal de l'archidiocèse de Cracovie, il a maintes fois mis en évidence dans ses homélies et sermons le rôle extraordinaire de la cathédrale de Wawel dans la vie de l'Église et de la nation polonaise. Le 8 mars 1964 pendant son intronisation officielle dans la cathédrale Karol Wojtyla a prononcé ces paroles significatives "En y entrant on ressent toujours un frisson intérieur, une crainte; elle est marquée - comme une des rares cathédrales du monde - d'une grandeur immense par laquelle toute notre histoire et tout notre passé nous parlent". Pour lui la cathédrale de Wawel incarnait le sanctuaire de l'histoire du pays et grâce à son passé inestimable elle était une source vivante de notre temps et l'origine de notre histoire future. Dans les sermons de l'évêque et cardinal Karol Wojtyla prononcés avant son élection au Saint-Siège on trouve plusieurs idées en germe que Karol Wojtyla a ensuite reprises et réalisées en tant que Souverain Pontife de l'Église universelle.

MYSTAGOGICAL ASPECTS IN PREACHING OF CARDINAL KAROL WOJTYŁA IN THE SANCTUARY OF OUR LADY OF PIEKARY
Cardinal Karol Wojtyła several times preached the homily during the annual pilgrimage of men to Our Lady of Piekary. Mystagogy was the key element in his speeches. Preaching the Word of God should be a reminiscence and a presentation of the work of Jesus Christ. The goal of preaching is to transform the life of each individual who listens to the word of God and to point him to all of the possiblities on how to answer to God in daily life. The listener should hear how his or her faith is going to resonate in the contemporary world. The content of mystagogical homilies of Cardinal Karol Wojtyła in Piekary was clearly seen in initation in the mysteries of faith and the rules of Christian life.