Priest Krzysztof Wilk returns to Kraków parish after Vatican appeal

Priest Krzysztof Wilk has returned to his position as parish priest of the Divine Mercy parish in Kraków-Nowy Prokocim after a 1,040-day absence. His return follows a successful appeal to the Vatican after he was ordered to vacate the parish in December 2023 by the then-Archbishop of Kraków, Marek Jędraszewski.

The decision to reinstate him was facilitated by the Dicastery for the Clergy and confirmed by the Apostolic Signatura, the highest judicial authority in the Catholic Church. During his first mass back on Sunday, October 18, Wilk was greeted with applause from parishioners.

Addressing the congregation, Wilk remarked, ‘I am here. It took me a little while,’ and noted that the Vatican's ruling effectively closed the matter. He expressed gratitude to the parishioners for their support and prayers during his long absence.