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Not to be confused with Italy-based international Catholic radio broadcasting service Radio Maria.
Radio Maryja
Company typeWholly owned subsidiary of Fundacja Lux Veritatis
IndustryRadio broadcasting
Founded1991
HeadquartersToruń, Poland
Key people
Tadeusz Rydzyk, Founder and Director
WebsiteRadioMaryja.pl

Radio Maryja

xenophobic, and misuses Catholic teaching as a political tool.[1]

Because of Radio Maryja's close relationship with Poland's conservative

bishops to take immediate action against the station. However, the bishops remain divided over whether to do so, given Radio Maryja's considerable influence among its primary audience of the elderly rural poor.[3] For years the Polish bishops have failed to act and some voice support for Radio Maryja.[4][5]

The name "Maryja" assumed by the group, is a traditional Polish form of the name "Mary", referring to the

Virgin Mary; colloquially the political group is often called 'Moherowe Berety' (mohair berets
) after the oft worn garb of the elderly ladies who are perceived to be the main support of the radio station.

Programming schedule

Radio Maryja's programming consists of broadcasts from the station's

Mass; coverage of papal trips; and sociological and political programmes.[6] Recorded broadcasts of the station are filed on many internet sites.[7] A slogan
frequently repeated on Radio Maryja is: "Radio Maryja - The Catholic Voice in Your Home".

Ownership and finances

The station is owned by the Warsaw Province of the

Nazi collaborator,[9] and by Edward Moskal, the chairman of the American Polish Congress.[10][11]

In February 2011, the local district court of

geothermal drilling project run by Fundacja Lux Veritatus. Rydzyk denounced the verdict, calling it an "injustice" and claiming that Polish law ran "contrary to natural law."[12] To date, he has refused to pay the fine. In August 2012, a political controversy transpired when Anna Sobecka, a Law and Justice MP and close ally of Rydzyk's, applied to pay the fine from her own pocket despite not having the authorization to do so. The district court of Toruń requested an investigation by police into her action.[13]

In late October 2012, Rydzyk told followers that a raise in media licensing fees being proposed in the Polish parliament would cause Radio Maryja and TV Trwan to "cease to exist."

Audience

Radio Maryja's audience is reputed to consist mostly of rural, elderly listeners.[14] The station claims that it has "millions of listeners"; market research indicates approximately 1.2 million people daily. The station estimates that it is listened to by well over 10% of adults in Poland;[15] the most comprehensive market research by Radio Track[16] for the whole of Poland (June–July 2005) shows a 2.5% "share of listening time".[17]

The Economist has summarized that, "The church in Poland is divided between Vatican loyalists, who often oppose close involvement in politics, and energetic dissidents linked to Radio Maryja, a hardline broadcaster. This once had huge clout, articulating the feelings of Poles alienated by the country's brisk, materialist business culture and the decay in moral norms. But Radio Maryja's audience has shrunk in the past decade to no more than 2% of all current listeners."[18][19]

Radio Maryja Family

The station has gathered a large group of committed followers, the Radio Maryja Family (Rodzina Radia Maryja), to which Tadeusz Rydzyk is a charismatic leader.

John Paul II
.

While the conventional greeting in the

Roman Catholic Church
is, "Praised be Jesus Christ", the followers of Rydzyk use, "Praised be Jesus Christ and Mary, ever Virgin."

Related enterprises

The Radio Maryja headquarters are housed in a modern building amid gardens on the outskirts of Toruń.

Enterprises related to Radio Maryja — and independent of Vatican authorities — initiated by Rydzyk include the TV network Telewizja Trwam;[8] a daily newspaper Nasz Dziennik; the Nasza Przyszłość ("Our Future") Foundation; the Lux Veritatis ("The Light of Truth") Foundation; and the Wyższa Szkoła Kultury Społecznej i Medialnej ("The College of Social and Media Culture") in Toruń. Until recently, the rector of the College was Rydzyk. Radio Maryja's opponents say that this network of six enterprises is dominated by Rydzyk.[22]

Criticisms and controversies

Allegations of intolerance

A survey on European "hate radio" prepared by

TVN, of attacking the "only entirely Polish radio station" not controlled by foreign capital. Critics claim that the station uses propaganda which emphasizes nationalism, anti-Semitism, anti-communism and anti-German prejudice.[24]

Conflict with Vatican

In 2006, the

papal nuncio to Poland, Archbishop Józef Kowalczyk, wrote to Polish bishops requesting their aid "to overcome difficulties caused by some transmissions and the views presented by Radio Maryja."[25] In response, the bishops established a supervisory body called the Cooperative Unit for Pastoral Care of Radio Maryja. However, a group of Polish Sejm deputies and MEPs addressed an open letter to the chair of the Polish Bishop's Conference concerning "protection for Radio Maryja". Rydzyk remains the head of Radio Maryja and has ignored the warning from the papal nuncio.[26]

Several Polish

schism over the station.[29] An imaginary breakaway church led by Rydzyk has been named "The Rydzyk Church of Poland",[30] or the "Toruń-Catholic Church" (in Polish: kościół toruńsko-katolicki). In Poland, the latter term is sometimes used to refer to the ideology
of Radio Maryja in general.

Bishop Tadeusz Pieronek, the former secretary general of the Episcopate of Poland, said that Radio Maryja is "a real and growing problem", adding that the station "offers a reduced view on Christianity" that is "is extremely compromising and shameful, sick and dangerous."[31] According to the official Vatican web page, "Radio Maryja...became much more involved in spreading risky politics than in spreading the Gospel."[32]

Euroscepticism

Radio Maryja strongly opposed Poland joining of the

shortwave from Russia. Despite his euroscepticism, Rydzyk applied for EU funds alloted to help boost Polish businesses and researchers from 2007-2013.[35][36]

Allegations of antisemitism

Some Jews argue that Radio Maryja propagates "extreme"

Auschwitz was a labor camp rather than an extermination camp.[39][40][41]

In April 2006, well-known Polish essayist Stanisław Michalkiewicz — a major personality on Telewizja Trwam — was reported in Gazeta Wyborcza as stating that "men from Judea ... are trying to surprise us from behind", and referring to the World Jewish Congress as "a main firm in the Holocaust Industry".[25][42] Michalkiewicz responded by calling Gazeta Wyborcza "an unusual example of the Jewish fifth column in Poland" and "a Jewish newspaper for Poles." Supporters of Radio Maryja claim that bigoted statements transmitted by the station are very rare and originate from its listeners rather than employees.[43]

The charges of anti-Semitism against Radio Maryja have brought the station to worldwide attention.[38] A report of the Council of Europe stated that Radio Maryja has been "openly inciting to antisemitism for several years" and that there is "a lack of effective implementation of measures intended to prohibit antisemitic acts and statements" in Poland.[44] The Simon Wiesenthal Center initiated a petition condemning Rydzyk's alleged anti-Semitic statements.[45][46] In July 2007, over seven-hundred[47] Polish Catholic intellectuals, journalists, priests and activists signed a public letter of protest condemning Rydzyk's anti-Semitic remarks.[48][49]

In August 2007, Nasz Dziennik, a newspaper owned by Rydzyk, suggested papal approval of for his behaviour, claiming that he led members of the Radio Maryja Family to the Vatican and met Pope

Benedict XVI, kissing his hand. The Vatican promptly announced, "In reference to requests for clarification related to [Father] Tadeusz Rydzyk's 'kiss' ... the matter does not imply any change in the Holy See's well-known position on relations between Catholics and Jews".[50]

Support for death penalty

Radio Maryja promoted the political programme of Law and Justice, a Polish conservative party, which together with the League of Polish Families sought to reintroduce capital punishment in Poland and throughout Europe.[51] The support of Radio Maryja for the death penalty is explicitly against the teachings of the Church.[52]

Involvement in politics

Direct involvement in politics violates the Catholic Church's directives for priests. Nevertheless, the former cabinet of Jarosław Kaczyński openly supported Radio Maryja. In December 2006, Kaczyński joined the 15th anniversary celebrations of Radio Maryja and praised the station as a source of "comfort and hope",[53][54] warning that "an attack on Radio Maryja is an attack against freedom."[55] Kaczyński was a regular guest on Radio Maryja,[56] as were other right-wing politicians such as Andrzej Lepper, Roman Giertych, and Zbigniew Ziobro. When it became aware of the station's service to conservative parties, the Vatican demanded that it "drop the politics."[57] Asked whether Rydzyk would himself form a party, Bishop Pieronek replied that he could not imagine a priest starting a political organization.[58]

In February 2006, Law and Justice signed a key agreement with two other political parties. To the fury of the Polish press, only Rydzyk and journalists from Telewizja Trwam — who actively supported Law and Justice during the election — were allowed in the room during the signing. The President of the Polish National Broadcasting Council, Elzbieta Kruk, stated that she had no authority to act in regard to these complaints, as she had been appointed by the Polish President Lech Kaczyński, a member of Law and Justice. Critics asserted that the government feared of alienating Radio Maryja's dedicated audience, which makes up a significant fraction of Law and Justice's political base.[25]

In March 2006, Polish literary critic and television personality Kazimiera Szczuka satirized a girl who frequently recites prayers on Radio Maryja, not knowing that the girl used a wheelchair. Despite Szczuka's public apology, the Polish Broadcasting Council found her guilty of "insulting a disabled person and mocking her religion." The station on which she had appeared was fined the equivalent of $125,000;[25] according to the Polish press, the highest fine the Council had ever levied. The sole dissenting member of the Council, Wojciech Dziomdziora, speculated that Radio Maryja's ties with Law and Justice was "the real reason" for Szczuka's punishment, noting that Szczuka was made to pay the stiff fine while Radio Maryja was allowed to disparage other religions with impunity.[25]

In September 2012, Radio Maryja and TV Trwam organized a "Poland Wake Up" demonstration with both Law and Justice and the

Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community, said in an interview that the stations' action was "not in accordance with the doctrine of the Church," and said that they were "entering a dangerous path of confusion and turmoil."[59]

Remarks about President Lech Kaczyński and wife

In 2007, Polish first lady

newsmagazine Wprost published a recording from one of Rydzyk's lectures in which he allegedly called Kaczyńska "a witch who should perform euthanasia on herself." He also claimed that President Lech Kaczyński "cheated" him, and called him "a swindler who had bowed to pressure from the Jewish lobby."[61][62]
Rydzyk neither denied nor apologized for the remarks, saying that the voice recording was "a manipulation" and the result of a "fight of spirits."

In 2012, Radio Maryja, which has long

plane crash which killed President Kaczyński two years earlier — among "many other acts" — was the result of a Masonic plot against the Law and Justice party.[63]

See also

References

  1. ^ Radio Maryja as an example of abuse of the authority of the Catholic Church in Poland, by Mrs. Bielawska
  2. ^ Episcopate warns Radio Maryja on 'political broadcasting’, Polskie Radio, January 1, 2007
  3. ^ Polish Cardinal condemns priest accused of anti-Semitism on radio, Voice of America, September 5, 2007
  4. ^ Poland’s Radio Maryja Known For Its Bigotry, and Its Influence, The Jewish Daily Forward, 2010
  5. ^ Cardinal calls for sacking of radio priest, The Tablet, 2007
  6. ^ [1][dead link]
  7. ^ For example: 1) web site of Jerzy Nowak of Radio Maryja [2] 2) Radio Maryja broadcasts] - "strange and interesting programme fragments", and some on 3) the Radio Maryja official web page.
  8. ^ a b "Controversial Polish Catholics enter TV". BBC News. February 13, 2003. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
  9. ^ IPN - review of the media
  10. ^ Radio Maryja - Katolicki Głos w Twoim Domu
  11. OCLC 55228719
    .
  12. ^ "O. Tadeusz Rydzyk ukarany za nielegalną zbiórkę'". Wirtualna Polska. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  13. ^ "Sobecka cierpi za o. Rydzyka. Zapłaci grzywnę, bo... zapłaciła grzywnę?". Wprost. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  14. ^ Mixed Reception for Polish Catholic Radio - washingtonpost.com
  15. ^ Walton, Nicholas (October 1, 2002). "Polish Cardinal tackles radical radio". BBC News. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
  16. ^ "::radio||track::". Radiotrack.pl. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  17. ^ [3][dead link]
  18. ^ "God-bothered". The Economist. March 15, 2007.
  19. ^ Edward Lucas (2007-03-15). "Edward Lucas: Religion in the CEE region". Edwardlucas.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  20. ^ Phenomenon of Radio Virgin Mary
  21. ^ (in Polish) http://www.warsawvoice.pl/archiwum.phtml/13037/
  22. ^ Rydzyk holding - wielki biznes bez podatków, Tadeusz Rydzyk, Radio Maryja, Telewizja Trwam, Nasz Dziennik, fundacja Nasza Przyszłość
  23. ^ Ojciec Rydzyk i Radio Maryja - Raporty - Kraj - Gazeta.pl
  24. ^ euro|topics - Is Poland's democracy in danger?
  25. ^ a b c d e f "LETTER FROM POLAND; Differing Treatment of Religious Slurs Raises an Old Issue", The New York Times, May 3, 2006. Accessed April 4, 2008.
  26. ^ WorldWide Religious News - Divided church awaits Benedict in Catholic Poland
  27. ^ (in Polish) http://www.warsawvoice.pl/archiwum.phtml/2123/
  28. ^ [4][5][6]
  29. ^ [7][dead link]
  30. ^ Rdzyk Catholic Church Against The Roman Catholic Church
  31. ^ [8][dead link]
  32. ^ Culture e fede - Cultures et foi - Cultures and Faith - Culturas y fe - 1/2000 - Plenaria 2000 (2)
  33. ^ Reluctantly European?
  34. ^ Poland's past and future pope | openDemocracy
  35. ^ [9][dead link]
  36. ^ Rozmawiała Katarzyna Zachariasz. "Gospodarka - Gazeta.pl". Gospodarka.gazeta.pl. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  37. ^ Antisemitism And Racism
  38. ^ a b Watt, Nicholas (June 5, 2006). "Anti-semitism live". The Guardian. London. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
  39. ^ [10][dead link]
  40. ^ [11][dead link]
  41. ^ "Stephen Roth Institute: Antisemitism And Racism". Tau.ac.il. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  42. ^ "Nieaktualny odnośnik do artykułu". Michalkiewicz.pl. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  43. ^ Sunday - Catholic Magazine
  44. ^ Poland_CBC_3
  45. ^ Simon Wiesenthal Center
  46. ^ See a video of Rabbi Marvin Hier talking about the "Jew-hating" Father Rydzyk
  47. ^ Associated, The (2010-11-12). "Hundreds in Poland condemn priest's words as anti-Semitic - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News". Haaretz.com. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  48. ^ News Releases - Simon Wiesenthal Center
  49. ^ The signed letter: [12], in Polish
  50. ^ Reuters AlertNet - Pope-Rydzyk talks don't alter stand on Jews-Vatican
  51. ^ [13][14][15]
  52. ^ Declaration of the Holy See to the First World Congress on the Death Penalty
  53. ^ "Poland PM Praises Catholic Radio Station". Washingtonpost.com. 2006-12-07. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  54. ^ "Search - Global Edition - The New York Times". International Herald Tribune. 2009-03-29. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  55. ^ [16] (article in Polish by Radio Maryja
  56. ^ Poland: Democracy and the Challenge of Extremism
  57. ^ Polskie Radio dla zagranicy - Vatican orders Radio Maryja to ‘drop the politics’
  58. ^ Warsaw Voice - Wałęsa at War
  59. ^ Biskup Piotr Jarecki wystąpił przeciwko PiS i TV Trwam." Dziennik. 25 October 2012
  60. ^ Poland's Balancing Act: The Left Wing, the Far Right and the Kaczynskis - International - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News
  61. ^ Published 8 July, 2007, text and sound in Polish
  62. ^ "Stir over priest's 'anti-Semitic remarks'". BBC News. July 13, 2007. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
  63. ^ Ekspert ojca Rydzyka: Smoleńsk to akt masonów!, Fakt.pl, 27 August 2012 [Retrieved 1 September 2012]

External links

Category:Radio stations in Poland Category:Politics of Poland Category:Roman Catholic Church in Poland Category:Christianity-related controversies Category:Catholic radio stations Category:Antisemitism in Poland

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