Eugeniusz Baziak
Encyclopedia
Eugeniusz Baziak was Archbishop
of Lwów and Apostolic Administrator of Kraków
. Baziak was rector of the Clerical Seminarium in Lwów. Since 1933 he was an auxiliary bishop and, since 1944, Archbishop of Lwów. In 1951, after the death of Cardinal
Adam Stefan Sapieha
, he became the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese in Kraków
.
In his capacity as Apostolic Administrator of Kraków, he recommended to Pope Pius XII the promotion of Father Karol Wojtyła
(the future Pope John Paul II), who was then a priest in the Archdiocese of Kraków, to the office of auxiliary (assistant) bishop of that Archdiocese. It is said that this recommendation was made in so strong terms that the Holy See made the appointment without even consulting with the Primate of Poland, Stefan Wyszyński, as was usual. Instead, Wyszyński received notice from the Vatican that he was simply to inform Father Wojtyła of the appointment, and ask him for his acceptance.
After Wojtyła accepted and the appointment was formalized by the Pope, it fell to Archbishop Baziak to be the principal consecrator, Bishops Kominek and Jop being co-consecrators, of Wojtyła as a bishop, the episcopal consecration occurring in September 1958. Bishop Wojtyła would eventually succeed Baziak at Kraków after Baziak's death.
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Lwów and Apostolic Administrator of Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
. Baziak was rector of the Clerical Seminarium in Lwów. Since 1933 he was an auxiliary bishop and, since 1944, Archbishop of Lwów. In 1951, after the death of Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
Adam Stefan Sapieha
Adam Stefan Sapieha
Prince Adam Stefan Stanisław Bonifacy Józef Sapieha was a Polish cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Kraków. Between 1922–1923 he was a senator of the Second Rzeczpospolita. In 1946, Pope Pius XII created him Cardinal....
, he became the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese in Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
.
In his capacity as Apostolic Administrator of Kraków, he recommended to Pope Pius XII the promotion of Father Karol Wojtyła
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
(the future Pope John Paul II), who was then a priest in the Archdiocese of Kraków, to the office of auxiliary (assistant) bishop of that Archdiocese. It is said that this recommendation was made in so strong terms that the Holy See made the appointment without even consulting with the Primate of Poland, Stefan Wyszyński, as was usual. Instead, Wyszyński received notice from the Vatican that he was simply to inform Father Wojtyła of the appointment, and ask him for his acceptance.
After Wojtyła accepted and the appointment was formalized by the Pope, it fell to Archbishop Baziak to be the principal consecrator, Bishops Kominek and Jop being co-consecrators, of Wojtyła as a bishop, the episcopal consecration occurring in September 1958. Bishop Wojtyła would eventually succeed Baziak at Kraków after Baziak's death.