Polish Bishop Faces Trial Amid Church’s Long History of Cover-Ups in Abuse Scandals

In an unprecedented legal reckoning, Polish Bishop Andrzej Jeż has gone on trial accused of delaying the reporting of child sexual abuse allegations against priests under his authority. This case marks a significant, if overdue, step toward holding the Catholic Church accountable for years of systematic cover-ups that have eroded public trust in one of Poland’s most revered institutions. Is the Church Finally Answering to Justice? For decades, Poland’s Catholic hierarchy safeguarded its reputation above all else—shielding abusive priests through internal investigations and secret relocations rather than cooperating promptly with law enforcement. The church once stood as a moral beacon...