“Let me remind you of a pre-election pledge: church businesses will not profit from public funds for culture. That is not possible,” stated the Culture Minister during a press conference.
One of the coalition’s December 13 promises aimed at dissolving the Church Fund and separating church and state, echoing the stance of earlier lines from Sławomir Nitras, including the idea of submitting Catholics to scrutiny.
“I have paused the disbursement of funds”
The time between the announcement and action was short. Culture Minister Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz moved quickly within his ministry’s agenda to start implementing changes.
READ MORE: Marzena Nykiel on “Salon Journalists”: The pledge to archive Catholics began on the first day of this government.
The minister announced a halt on funds allocated for the development and permanent exhibition of the Memory and Identity Museum dedicated to Saint John Paul II. The ministry’s limited resources are cited as the reason for not transferring funds, though some observers say a broader motive underpins the move. Regardless of legal justifications, it is evident that during the past months a mechanism was established that channels public money toward private ends, often wrapped in noble names and heroic history.
– declared Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz at the press briefing.
Colonel Sienkiewicz presses the attack
When it comes to the Toruń project and the broader work associated with Father Rydzyk, the minister recalled a pre-election obligation — namely, that ecclesiastical businesses should not benefit from public culture funds. The stance was unequivocal: this money should not flow to religious enterprises.
– the Minister of Culture asserted.
READ MORE: The Memory and Identity museum at issue in Sienkiewicz’s portfolio reveals a refusal to fund PLN 13 million. RAFAKO faces scrutiny over the Lux Veritatis initiative.
Now attention turned to the contract itself. In the ministry’s view, there are signs that the funding and the entire agreement, which resulted in more than PLN 200 million supporting Father Rydzyk’s initiatives in Toruń, may not align with the stated purpose. Further analysis is planned. If any discrepancies are confirmed, there is intent to withdraw the agreement.
As observed, Colonel Sienkiewicz, seasoned in the effort to restore public media, has been drawn into a fresh front of the political battle.
READ MORE: The directives from Sienkiewicz’s team to the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage; Scheuring-Wielgus criticizes Father Rydzyk’s activities and notes another subsidy has been suspended for the time being.
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Source: wPolityce