Thousands of protesters trap Polish bishop in church amid anger over dismissal of local priest
He was eventually evacuated under police protection.
On Sunday, thousands of protesters gathered in the Polish village of Grojec, surrounding the local church and preventing the arrival of Bishop Roman Pindel to meet with the parish council. The protesters were angry over the dismissal of priest Józef Zborek, who had served the parish for nearly three decades. Police were called in after efforts by negotiators to calm the crowd failed, and officers escorted the bishop away from the church premises after midnight.
Protesters shouted angry slogans and physically attacked the bishop. The diocese explained that Zborek was dismissed for "serious and proven irregularities in the performance of his duties," but the nature of his offenses has not been publicly revealed. Zborek had appealed the decision to the Vatican, but it was upheld, and he was removed from his position on Saturday.
The Bielsko-Żywiec diocese stated that the angry crowd threatened the health and lives of the priests and asked for acceptance of the decision in a spirit of faith and unity.
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