On January 29, the Archdiocese of Poznań sold the 12-hectare area of the Maltański estate to JHM Development from Skierniewice for PLN 421 million net, which after adding VAT gives the amount of approximately PLN 518 million. Previously, the parish donated the property to the archdiocese, which almost immediately sold it to the developer.
According to documents obtained by "Gazeta Wyborcza", the Vatican consented to the sale, describing the area as "arable land with several buildings and gazebos." Meanwhile, in fact, there were almost 300 plots of land, most of which were developed with houses.
What did the Vatican know? Controversy surrounding documentation
Journalists of "Gazeta Wyborcza" revealed that the consent of the Holy See was issued on the basis of the application of the then Metropolitan of Poznań, Archbishop. Stanisław Gądecki. In documentation sent to the Vatican, the property was described as agricultural land with several illegal buildings slated for demolition. However, no mention was made of the number of inhabitants, the scale of development or the lease agreements that had connected the parish with the tenants for years.
According to information from "Wyborcza", already in 1998 the parish and the archdiocese informed the Poznań city hall about the existence of 288 separate plots with residential buildings. The church itself then sought to have this area recognized as a residential development area.
Residents surprised
The inhabitants of the Maltańskie estate were convinced that their situation was stable, especially after the assurances of Church representatives. In 2024, the parish priest, Fr. Paweł Deskur declared during a meeting with residents that the plots would not be sold. Meanwhile, after the transaction was finalized, evictions began. In August and September 2026, the bailiff, supported by the police, carried out the first forced removals based on the judgments obtained by the parish and the archdiocese.
According to information provided to "Gazeta Wyborcza", so far 198 families have concluded agreements to leave the estate, and 48 of them have moved to municipal apartments. The rest are offered premises belonging to the Church or financial compensation.
Disputed documents and unanswered questions
The Archdiocese of Poznań refused to provide journalists with the documents on the basis of which the Vatican's consent was obtained. Treasurer of the archdiocese, Fr. Waldemar Hanas assured that Archbishop Gądecki did not use the phrase "several buildings and gazebos" in the correspondence, and the description came from a real estate appraisal report. At the same time, he questioned the authenticity of the translation of the Vatican document, without presenting the original.
The documents submitted to the Vatican also included information that the property did not generate income. Meanwhile, as "Wyborcza" found out, the parish collected lease fees from residents, which, according to estimates of the Greater Poland Tenants Association, could amount to as much as PLN 4 million by 2025.
The residents, represented by lawyer Marcin Czachor, are trying to question the circumstances in which consent to the sale was obtained. In their opinion, the Holy See did not receive the full picture of the situation. Professor of canon law Rik Torfs from the Catholic University of Leuven in an interview with "Gazeta Wyborcza" said that the omission of important information could be a basis for questioning the permit if it influenced the Vatican's decision. However, this does not mean that the document is automatically invalid.
Journalists of "Gazeta Wyborcza" asked Archbishop for explanations. Stanisław Gądecki, the current metropolitan of Poznań, archbishop. Zbigniew Zieliński and representatives of the Vatican. So far, they have not received answers to the most important questions regarding the circumstances of granting consent to the sale.
