Cardinal Ryś in the Wawel Cathedral: "Who is man"?

"Who is man?" - question after the tragedy

In his today's homily in the Wawel Cathedral, Cardinal Ryś drew attention to the various faces of humanity that were revealed in the face of the tragedy that took place on November 7 at the Main Market Square in Krakow. On the one hand - as he said - there is a question about the perpetrator who committed the crime, and on the other hand, about those who provide help and are ready to sacrifice their lives for others.

For five days now, we have been faced with the question of man again, but with such strength that we have not experienced for a long time. Who is a man - said Cardinal. Grzegorz Ryś in a homily delivered on National Independence Day.

Who is the man who - as the metropolitan said - killed his parents and sister, and then was able to blindly kill and injure in the heart of a crowded city? On the other hand, who is a doctor who helps others? Who is a man ready to give his life to save others? But also - the priest enumerated - who is the person who, in the face of such a tragedy, can continue to sow hate, hate and praise aggression?

A call to reject violence

The Metropolitan of Krakow reminded that every person has a choice and "royal dignity", which is associated with the freedom to decide on their own behavior. Referring to the teachings of the Church and the figure of St. Marcin and Fr. Jerzy Popiełuszko, the cardinal emphasized that "every manifestation of violence proves moral inferiority." He also mentioned the idea of ​​Solidarity, which - as he noted - "conquers life and which millions of people spontaneously follow."

The need for community and common good

Cardinal Ryś appealed for prayers for freedom from fear, intimidation and, above all, from the desire for retaliation and violence.

Each of us and all of us together, like oxygen, need the rejection of all violence - from the language in speech, on the Internet, in publications, through mutual relationships at home, at work, in the neighborhood, to social and political life in the country, in Europe, in the world - said the hierarch.

He also emphasized that society needs a perspective deeper than consumption, which frees us from egoism and leads to building a community.

We need the common good, which is not just an empty idea, but a real program for all of us, added the Cardinal.

Crowds of believers, including representatives of local authorities, parliamentarians, uniformed services and standard-bearers, participated in the Holy Mass at Wawel for the homeland.

The investigation into the tragic shooting in Krakow is being conducted by the Krakow branch of the National Prosecutor's Office.