Catholic League for Religious Assistance to Poland and Polonia History
The Catholic League for Religious Assistance to Poland (Liga Katolicka) was formed during World War II for “the greater glory of God” and the purpose of religious and material relief aid to the Catholic Church in Poland. Polish priests in the Detroit area met to determine how to help the Church in Poland by reaching out to the U.S. parishes serving Polonia. On May 18-19, 1943 in Buffalo, New York, clergy and laity representing fifteen dioceses with large Polish populations such as Buffalo, Chicago, and Detroit met and organized the Catholic League for Religious Assistance to Poland. Detroit, Michigan was chosen as the first site of the National Headquarters of the Liga.
The first National Convention was held in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 26-27, 1944. At this meeting, representatives of more than 300 parishes in the United States were present. Among them was Rev. John J. Król, who later became Archbishop of Philadelphia and Cardinal. During this Convention, it was decided, that the Liga would collect the funds to help the Church in Poland, which was suffering because of the massive destruction of the war. The Constitution of the Catholic League and Bylaws were finalized and adopted. The Liga chose Chicago as the official National Headquarters of the League – the temporary office from Detroit was then moved to Chicago.
Every year, close to the August 26th feast day of Our Lady of Czestochowa, an appeal to Poles and Americans of Polish descent, as well as to all brothers and sisters in faith, has been extended for their generous support of the Catholic League for Religious Assistance to Poland.
At this point, we should mention and honor the great Liga directors. Among them were: Msgr. Jan Podkul; Msgr. Stanisław Piwowar, who served as national secretary until 1960; and Bishop Alfred Abramowicz, who served the Liga tirelessly from 1960 to 1995. It is also worth mentioning the many years of selfless activity on behalf of the Catholic League of such individuals as: Fr. Matt Bednarz, Monsignor Józef Mytych, Fr. Teofil Kaczorowski, Fr. Edward Smaza, Fr. Edward Pajak, Fr. Kazimierz Szatkowski, Fr. Edward Siedlecki, Fr. Tadeusz Makuch, Mr. Clarence Peca, and Mrs. Ester Mikuta and her family, all from the Archdiocese of Chicago. Fr. Bernard Witkowski from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Fr. Stanisław Ulman, Fr. Stanisław Milewski and Ms. Loretta Janiga from the Archdiocese of Detroit, Msgr. Matthew Kopacz from Buffalo, Fr. Carl Urban from the Diocese of Albany, and Fr. Antoni Iwuc from the Diocese of Rhode Island all were instrumental in the fruitful efforts to aid Poland.
The 17th National Convention of the Catholic League, held in Chicago on October 22-25, 1995, elected the new board of the Catholic League. Bishop Ted Jakubowski became the Executive Director of the League; Fr. Tadeusz Dzieszko, Deputy Director; Mr. Bernard Ruda, President; Mrs. Loretta Janiga, Vice-president; Mrs. Joan Certna, Secretary; and Fr. Thomas Bernas, Treasurer. After the retirement of Bishop Thaddeus Jakubowski, Bishop Thomas Paprocki was appointed the National Director in 2009 continuing the work of the Catholic League. After his appointment to the Springfield Diocese, he resigned in 2011. In December 2011, Bishop Andrew P. Wypych was appointed as the National Executive Director; and Fr. Idzi Stacherczak, Deputy Director.
Over the years, the Liga has continuously helped the Church in Poland. With funds raised in the United States, churches and parish buildings were rebuilt and religious books, vestments and other sacred objects were sent to Poland by the Liga. The League assisted orphanages, giving children orphaned during World War II, a home and foster family of religious brothers and sisters caring for them.
The Liga also financially supports the education of Polish priests in Rome, and for many years, a Seminary in Paris. These priests, in turn, after returning from their extended studies, are preparing Polish seminarians to be the spiritual and temporal leaders for the future. Over the years, some have been appointed to apostolic ministry as bishops of the Church.
For over 75 years, thousands of lay people have been involved in the activities of the Liga, along with dozens of religious sisters, deacons, and hundreds of priests and bishops. As a result of the generous gifts of time and financial donations, over these years, the Liga has sent over $100 million dollars, not counting the spiritual donations, for the needs of the Church in Poland.
The needs of the Church in Poland persist. First was the devastation of war, then after the war was the destructive spirit of the Communist regime and now, we face the secularization of society with resulting ideologies that draw people away from our precious Catholic faith. Years of systemic atheism and demoralization of the nation have done their share of damage, and unfortunately, still exert a detrimental influence on the Polish nation. For this reason, further material and spiritual aid to Poland, as well as solidarity with our brothers and sisters are needed. That includes financial support for the spiritual and intellectual formation of priests studying in Rome and for other charitable institutions of the Polish Church.
To mark the jubilee celebrations of the Holy Year of Mercy and the 1050th Anniversary of Poland’s Baptism, the Catholic League for Religious Assistance to Poland and Polonia sent a donation of $75,000 to the St. John Paul “Do Not be Afraid” Center in Krakow.
The Liga solemnly, with prayer, celebrated the 70th anniversary of its existence in May 2013, and still fulfills the call to action envisioned by the Liga leaders in 1943 and included in its constitution. Through the financial generosity and prayerful sacrifices of new generations, we hope to continue assisting the needs of our brothers and sisters in the Church. Our current times impel us to undertake new actions. The future of the Church, Poland and Polonia comes through the family. Healthy, stable and well-formed families are able to foster holy vocations to the priesthood, religious life and marriage. Formation in the faith and support of the family is even more crucial today. It is a call for us to answer now, to provide effective assistance to the Church in Poland, and at same time, turn our efforts to Polonia. With that same spirit of outreach that the Liga’s founders embodied, a new piece was added to the official name of Liga which is now The Catholic League for Religious Assistance to Poland and Polonia.
Beginning in 2013, Bishop Andrew Wypych, following his episcopal motto, The Love of Christ Impels Us (2Cor. 5 14-15), introduced new vision for Polonia in the U.S. and has shared it with leaders of Polonia in the Chicago area. One new endeavor is the St. John Paul the Great scholarship, providing students with financial aid for their higher education. We seek to educate and form the present and the future leaders of Polonia. To further assist with formation, education and communication, a Liga website has been created in 2015. Other elements of that vision are in working progress.
What we do today will have an impact on our generation and into the future. It is up to us to respond to Christ’s call and serve as joyous witnesses of our Catholic faith. The Catholic League for Religious Assistance to Poland and Polonia looks toward a promising future with pride and hope and with new efforts, undertaken together and for “the greater glory of God” and the benefits of our brothers and sisters. The mission and goals of the Liga, with the intercession of our Patroness, Our Lady of Czestochowa, and St. John Paul the Great, will continue to bear more spiritual fruits, keeping alive our beloved Polish heritage while building a better future for new generations of Catholic families.
Edited by Bishop +Andrew P. Wypych
