Students take steps towards the Permanent Diaconate
September 6, 2021
SVP campaign asks for a million gestures of kindness
September 8, 2021
Show all

Polish Consul pays historic visit to St John’s Cathedral

At the invitation of Bishop Alan Hopes, the Polish Consul General Mateusz Stąsiek visited St John’s Cathedral and paid tribute to Polish servicemen.


“It was a great pleasure to hear about the fascinating history of the Cathedral,” wrote Mr Stąsiek after his visit, “and to pay tribute to the Polish men and women who died for freedom between 1939-1945. The city of Norwich became the new home for many Poles after the war. It is a very friendly place to Polish people, and I am hugely grateful for the hospitality you offer to them.” 

The Cathedral has a copy of the famous icon of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, and a memorial to the Polish servicemen who died during the Second World War fighting alongside allied forces. It hosts regular Masses in Polish, which are well attended.

Canon David Paul gave Mr Stąsiek a tour of the cathedral, and the Consul invited him to pay a return visit to London at some point.

Mr Stąsiek also met members of the Norfolk Polonia CIC (the Polish Centre) and representatives of Norwich City Council, headed by Councillor Alan Waters.

Pictured above is (left) Matthew Fernandez-Graham, Diocesan Director of Finance and Resources with (right) Mateusz Stąsiek, the Polish Consul General, and (centre) Pawel.

Below is the Polish Consul at the Norfolk Polonia CIC with Councillor Alan Waters (second from left).

Comments