On the first program of Polish Radio, Dr. Rafał Leżkiewicz discussed the findings of the inquiry into the death of Father Franciszek Blachnicki. He stated that the priest had been murdered beyond doubt, that he had been poisoned, and that the tragedy represented a communist crime. The spokesman for the Institute of National Remembrance mentioned on Jedynka Polish Radio that the city administration, aware of Jolanta Lange’s past, continued to promote her as a representative voice of the institution.
The investigation, which resumed on April 21, 2020, indicated at that stage of the proceedings that Father Blachnicki’s death was indeed the result of deliberate poisoning. The remarks emphasized that it was a murder tied to a communist-era crime.
– said Dr. Rafał Leżkiewicz on the Polish radio program.
At the service of SB
Editor Jerzy Jachowicz, who led the conversation, highlighted that two agents from the security services of the People’s Republic of Poland were implicated in the priest’s murder.
Surrounded by Fr. Blachnicki in Germany’s Carlsberg, there were claims that certain SB agents were present and involved in the events, including Andrzej and Jolanta Gontarczyk, according to statements remembered by those close to the case.
Leżkiewicz recalled the circumstances vividly. When Blachnicki’s associates began to suspect that the “friends” of the priest might have ties to the communist security services, Blachnicki chose to seek confirmation in a direct conversation with the Gontarczyks.
After meeting Andrzej Gontarczyk, Blachnicki reportedly felt unwell and died. At that time, in 1987, the true cause of the priest’s death had not yet been established, as noted in recollections from those involved.
Near the town hall
Jolanta Gontarczyk, the wife of Andrzej Gontarczyk, also took part in overseeing the priest’s movements. She currently runs a foundation under the name Lange, which receives subsidies from the Warsaw City Hall, according to program participants.
For residents of Warsaw, there is alarm at the idea that the city council, aware of Jolanta Lange’s past, continues to promote her role. The absence of a formal settlement regarding this communist past, along with continued access to public resources, is viewed by some as an implicit tolerance of activities from before 1990.
These points were voiced by Dr. Rafał Leżkiewicz, the spokesman for the Institute of National Remembrance. The radio broadcast noted that Jolanta Lange “received nearly two million zlotys in subsidies from the capital city of Warsaw,” and when questioned about personal familiarity with Jolanta Gontarczyk, Rafał Trzaskowski stated that his role does not involve promoting various types of events.
Source material cited during the broadcast included discussions and interviews with figures connected to the former security services and political figures of the era. The program highlighted concerns about how publicly funded institutions engage with individuals tied to controversial histories, and how such associations may influence contemporary cultural and civic life. The broader conversation touched on accountability, memory, and the boundaries of public support for people with contested pasts. (Source: wPolityce)
Additional segments and quotes addressed the ongoing debate about how post-communist societies confront the legacies of the security apparatus. Analysts and historians examined the implications for public trust and the role of state institutions in shaping historical narratives. The discussions also explored the relationship between memory and political action in modern Poland. (Source: wPolityce)
Several interview excerpts highlighted perspectives on Fr. Blachnicki’s life and work, emphasizing that his legacy continued to prompt dialogue about faith, freedom, and the moral responsibilities of those who lived through the era. The conversations reflected a concern with how memory is used in present-day political discourse and how that memory intersects with civic leadership and public resources. (Source: wPolityce)