Marek Jędraszewski

Marek Jędraszewski is a Polish Catholic prelate who served as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kraków from 2016 to 2025. Born on July 24, 1949, in Poznań, he pursued ecclesial studies and was ordained to the priesthood in 1973. He furthered his education by earning a doctorate in philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University.

Life and Ministry

Jędraszewski's early career included academic roles in Poznań, where he served as an assistant professor and editor of the Catholic Guide paper. He received his habilitation degree in Kraków in 1996. His episcopal journey began with his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Poznań in 1997. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Metropolitan Archbishop of Łódź in 2012, and Pope Francis later appointed him to the Archdiocese of Kraków in 2016, succeeding Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz. He also held the position of vice president of the Polish Episcopal Conference starting in 2014.

Notable Initiatives and Views

In 2013, Jędraszewski initiated "Dialogues in the Cathedral," a popular program where he answered questions about faith in open meetings. He is known for his conservative stances on social issues. He has spoken against IVF treatments, describing them as an assault on human dignity, and advocates for the legal protection of life from conception to natural death, opposing abortion in all circumstances. Jędraszewski is also a vocal opponent of transgender rights and what he refers to as "gender ideology" and "LGBT ideology," which he has described as dangerous to civilization. In 2013, he urged the faithful to refrain from celebrating Halloween, labeling it an "anti-Christian festival."

Friendship with John Paul II

Marek Jędraszewski shared a close friendship with Pope John Paul II, which began in 1975 when Jędraszewski studied in Rome. Their shared interest in philosophy fostered a connection that continued through personal correspondence, especially after Wojtyła became Pope.