WARSAW – A Catholic bishop in Poland faced criminal charges Wednesday for allegedly delaying reports of child sexual abuse committed by clergy members, marking the highest-ranking church official in the nation to be prosecuted for such offenses.
The case highlights the growing crisis facing the Catholic Church’s credibility in Poland, a country known for its strong religious traditions. Last year alone, both a bishop and archbishop stepped down due to their mishandling of abuse allegations.
At the District Court in Tarnow, located in southern Poland, Bishop Andrzej Jez entered a not guilty plea to accusations that he failed to quickly notify authorities about sexual abuse of children under 15 by two clergymen, according to state media reports.
Outside the courthouse, Lilianna Kupaj, who claims she was sexually assaulted by a different priest in the same diocese at age eight, spoke emotionally to reporters, calling the proceedings “the first act of justice I’ve experienced.”
The bishop disputed the allegations, maintaining that he did contact police regarding both priests involved.
“I regret and apologise to all those harmed and others who have suffered because of this,” Jez stated during court proceedings, as reported by the state news agency. “Paedophilia in general, and especially in the church, is reprehensible and must be combated with all determination.”
The bishop faces a potential prison sentence of up to three years if found guilty.
Although many Polish citizens continue to view Catholicism as fundamental to their cultural identity, mounting abuse scandals involving priests have led to declining trust in the institution among the population.
Recent polling data from IBRiS reveals a dramatic shift in public opinion, with trust in the Catholic Church dropping from 58% in 2016 to just 35% in 2025.
