Our Administrator Remembers the Late Bishop Antoni Dydycz – A Friend of the Foundation - News

Today at 3:00 PM, the funeral rites for the late Bishop Antoni Dydycz will begin at the cathedral of the Diocese of Drohiczyn (Poland). On this occasion, our administrator, Rev. Msgr. Dariusz Giers, a native of the Drohiczyn Diocese and a close friend of the deceased bishop, shares his remembrance. On Sunday, September 14, 2024, Bishop Antoni Dydycz, emeritus of the Drohiczyn Diocese, departed to the House of the Father. He was known to a wide circle of the faithful far beyond his diocese, as he often appeared in various media and preached the Word of God throughout Poland and abroad. Rome played a significant role in Bishop Dydycz’s life. For many years, he served in the General Curia of the Capuchin Fathers. It was there, on June 20, 1994, that he received the news of his appointment as Bishop of Drohiczyn by Pope John Paul II. Bishop Antoni Dydycz was a devoted admirer and promoter of the teachings of the Polish Pope. From the moment of his episcopal nomination, he longed for John Paul II to visit his diocese in Podlasie. That dream came true on June 10, 1999, when the Holy Father visited Drohiczyn during his seventh pilgrimage to Poland. The ecumenical service held that day, attended by representatives of various faiths, gathered nearly 200,000 people. Bishop Dydycz frequently visited the Eternal City, both officially and privately. He always met with seminarians from his diocese, whom he regularly sent to Rome for specialized studies. I was one of them. After completing my doctoral studies, Bishop Antoni asked Bishop Stanisław Dziwisz to allow me to serve in the Secretariat of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation. I assisted Mons. Stefan Wylężek in preparing the Foundation’s 20th anniversary celebrations, which took place on October 16, 2001. During that time, I met many people connected to our Foundation, some of whom I remain in contact with to this day. When I was invited in March 2023 to take on the role of Administrator of the John Paul II Vatican II Foundation, Bishop Antoni was deeply pleased, knowing how vital this institution is in preserving the memory of the greatest son of Poland. I trust that Saint John Paul II, whom Bishop Antoni loved with all his heart, will intercede for him before God, and that the Mother of the Church, to whom he entrusted himself and the Diocese of Drohiczyn, will lovingly shelter him beneath her maternal mantle. Msgr. Dariusz Giers