Kirchenakte Documented events from judgments, reports and church documents
1976-2020 · 44 years · show in timeline

Cardinal Gulbinowicz, Wrocław: After an investigation the Holy See imposes disciplinary measures in 2020 over abuse allegations; ten days later he dies

Henryk Gulbinowicz was Archbishop of Wrocław from 1976 to 2004 and a cardinal from 1985. On 6 November 2020 the Apostolic Nunciature in Poland announced that, after investigating the accusations against him and other accusations about his past, the Holy See had imposed disciplinary measures on him. According to Vatican News the matter concerned abuse of minors, harassment, homosexual acts and collaboration with the security service of the time. He was barred from public appearances and episcopal insignia, as well as from a funeral and burial in the cathedral, and was to pay a sum of money to the Bishops' Conference foundation for abuse victims. He died on 16 November 2020.

Period
1976-2020 (44 years)
Country
Poland, Vatican City
Institutions
Archdiocese of Wrocław
Holy See
Apostolic Nunciature in Poland
Category
Sexual abuse
Level of evidence
A Primary source · what does this mean?
Persons
Henryk Roman Gulbinowicz (Archbishop of Wrocław 1976 to 2004, cardinal; subjected to disciplinary measures by the Holy See in 2020 over abuse allegations, died 16 November 2020)

What happened to the people

How were they charged and sentenced?

  1. On 6 November 2020 the Apostolic Nunciature in Poland announced that, following the investigation into the accusations against Cardinal Gulbinowicz and after analysing other accusations concerning his past, the Holy See had taken disciplinary decisions. According to Vatican News he had been accused of harassment, homosexual acts and collaboration with the security service of the time; the measures were imposed on account of abuse of minors.
    Evidence: Vatican News (Dikasterium für Kommunikation des Heiligen Stuhls), Artikel
    „following the investigation into the accusations made against Cardinal Henryk Gulbinowicz, and after analysing other accusations concerning the Cardinal’s past“
    Polish Cardinal disciplined following Vatican investigation, Artikel. Original
    Evidence: Vatican News (Dikasterium für Kommunikation des Heiligen Stuhls), Artikel
    „has been subjected to penal measures on account of abuse of minors“
    Polish Cardinal disciplined following Vatican investigation, Artikel. Original
    Evidence: Vatican News (Dikasterium für Kommunikation des Heiligen Stuhls), Artikel
    „has been accused of harassment, homosexual acts, and collaboration with the security service of the time“
    Polish Cardinal disciplined following Vatican investigation, Artikel. Original

What happened to those affected?

  1. The cardinal was forbidden from participating in any public celebration or meeting and from using episcopal insignia; a funeral service and burial in the cathedral were prohibited. He was to pay an adequate sum of money to the St Joseph Foundation established by the Polish Bishops' Conference for victims of sexual abuse. He died ten days after the announcement, on 16 November 2020.
    Evidence: Vatican News (Dikasterium für Kommunikation des Heiligen Stuhls), Artikel
    „is forbidden from participating in any public celebration or meeting; forbidden from using episcopal insignia; and prohibited from the funeral service and burial in the cathedral“
    Polish Cardinal disciplined following Vatican investigation, Artikel. Original
    Evidence: Vatican News (Dikasterium für Kommunikation des Heiligen Stuhls), Artikel
    „established by the Polish Bishops’ Conference for victims of sexual abuse“
    Polish Cardinal disciplined following Vatican investigation, Artikel. Original
    Evidence: Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, Biografie
    „Cardinal Henryk Roman Gulbinowicz died on 16 November 2020.“
    Gulbinowicz Card. Henryk Roman, Biografie, Biografie. Original

Background

Response of the Church

  1. Gulbinowicz became Archbishop of Wrocław on 3 January 1976; on 25 May 1985 John Paul II made him a cardinal. From 3 April 2004 he was Archbishop emeritus.
    Evidence: Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, Biografie
    „On 3 January 1976 he became Archbishop of Wrocław“
    Gulbinowicz Card. Henryk Roman, Biografie, Biografie. Original
    Evidence: Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, Biografie
    „Created and proclaimed Cardinal by St. John Paul II in the Consistory of 25 May 1985“
    Gulbinowicz Card. Henryk Roman, Biografie, Biografie. Original
    Evidence: Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, Biografie
    „Archbishop emeritus of Wrocław, 3 April 2004.“
    Gulbinowicz Card. Henryk Roman, Biografie, Biografie. Original

See also

Original documents to read

  1. Church document
    Vatican News (Dikasterium für Kommunikation des Heiligen Stuhls): Polish Cardinal disciplined following Vatican investigation, 6 November 2020. Original (retrieved 31 Oct 2026)
  2. Church document
    Sala Stampa della Santa Sede: Gulbinowicz Card. Henryk Roman, Biografie, 1 January 2020. Original (retrieved 31 Oct 2026)
Change log (1)

The change log is kept in German only.

  • : Aufgenommen

Last changed on 31 October 2026. Is something missing or wrong? Suggest an addition or correction.