Hungarian, Polish Catholic churches exchange relics

Krakow, June 25 (MTI) – Relations between the Polish and Hungarian people are based primarily on religion, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow, said at a mass in Krakow where representatives of the Hungarian and Polish Catholic churches exchanged the St. Ladislaus and St. Hedwig relics.

The relics were exchanged in front of some 900 Hungarian participants in a pilgrimage to the Black Madonna.

Cardinal Dziwisz said the two countries have an opportunity to strengthen relations, as Europe is once again free.

He noted that St. Ladislaus was born in Poland and was half Polish himself on his mother’s side, while St. Hedwig was born in Hungary but lived in Poland and was sanctified there.

The archbishop, a long-time aide to Pope Saint John Paul II, said the former pope had a strong devotion to Hungarians, which stemmed from the close links in the two countries’ histories. The cardinal promised to personally deliver the John Paul II relic to Hungary.

Bishop Lajos Papai of Gyor (north-western Hungary), who accepted the St. Hedwig relics, said the exchange of the gifts symbolises that the two churches belong together and are responsible for each other.

The St. Hedwig relic will be placed in the Cathedral of Gyor while the St. Ladislaus relic will go to the Gothic Wawel Castle in Krakow.

Photo: www.ujkor.hu

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters