Poland’s left-liberal globlaist government is stepping up its attack on Catholic organizations, now targeting the Sacred Heart Priests by freezing 28 of their bank accounts.
According to lawyer Krzysztof Wąsowski, these accounts were blocked by BNP Paribas, affecting various religious houses and initiatives connected to the Sacred Heart order, including those tied to Father Michał Olszewski, who was recently released.
Wąsowski insists that the case against Fr. Olszewski is part of a larger political campaign, describing it as a “political trial.” He expressed that the priest and his defense team see this as a calculated attack by the government.
The lawyer also suspects that the account blockages are linked to Fr. Olszewski’s bail payment, with the prosecutor’s office questioning how it was paid, despite the fact that it was covered by the Sacred Heart Priests themselves, not BNP Paribas. “We really don’t know why these accounts were frozen or why 18 transfers, including internal ones, were blocked,” Wąsowski said. He’s demanding answers, questioning how a religious institution like the one in Pacanów can be denied access to its own funds.
The lawyer also pointed out that the Sacred Heart Priests have used their funds for important missions in places like Ukraine and Belarus. “How can a bank block accounts without offering an explanation?” Wąsowski demanded, emphasizing that these funds are essential for their work.
Adding to the controversy, the media has attacked Fr. Olszewski for allegedly meeting with former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, claiming 33 meetings took place. Wąsowski dismissed this, noting that Fr. Olszewski has publicly stated he doesn’t remember setting up such meetings.
In addition to these legal and financial battles, Wąsowski shared that Fr. Olszewski is struggling to recover from the trauma of the ordeal. “He needs time to heal,” the lawyer said, describing the situation as a personal hell for the priest.
The freezing of the Sacred Heart Priests’ accounts has sparked outrage, with calls for transparency from authorities about the reasons behind these drastic measures.
