Pastoral care of Bishop Wiesław A. Mering for Jan Długosz Complex of Catholic Schools in Włocławek

Abstract

The Diocese of Włocławek is the governing authority for the Jan Długosz Complex of Catholic Schools in Włocławek. This complex is composed of the kindergarten and primary school (grade levels 1–3) located in the school building at Wojska Polskiego street 2A, but it also includes primary school (grade levels 4–8), junior high school and senior high school with the hall of residence situated at Łęgska street 26.The total number of wards and students as of 1 st September 2018 is 823 students attending the school which involves 83 kindergarten wards, 397 pupils of primary school, 115 students of junior high school (only third grade level) and 228 students of senior high school. These statistics include 45 dwellers of the hall of residence. For the sake of comparison, the total number of students as of 1 st September 2001, the year which witnessed the reactivation of the Jan Długosz Complex of Catholic Schools in Włocławek after 52 years since its closure, was 150 students of junior high school divided into five first grade classes.

The history of the Jan Długosz School in Włocławek was presented by bishop Roman Andrzejewski when in 2000 he said: „This school was born in bondage, grew up in liberated Poland, passed the exam of struggle for faith and the Polish character, prevailed in the legend, is waiting for the «resurrection»”. The most momentous dates from the school history include: 1916 – bishop S. Zdzitowiecki is granted the permission issued by the occupation authority to open a school on the grounds of the Bishop’s Palace; 1920 – the Bolsheviks burn the Bishop’s Palace, the school in relocated to a building located nearby the Cathedral of Włocławek; 1925 – bishop S. Zdzitowiecki consecrates the foundation stone for the construction of the building at Łęgska street 26; 1928 – bishop W. Krynicki consecrates the school building and lessons are commenced; 1939 – World War II ceases the activity of the Jan Długosz School; 1945 – the activity of primary school, junior high school and senior high school is resumed; 1949 – the communist authorities close the school; 2001 – the authorities of Włocławek transfer the building to the Diocese of Włocławek which enables the reactivation of the Catholic school in Włocławek by opening the Jan Długosz State Junior High School in 2001, the State Senior High School in 2002, the State Primary School in 2013 and the State Catholic Kindergarten “At Guardian Angel”. Particular educational units constitute the Jan Długosz Complex of Catholic Schools which has been functioning since 2003 under the pastoral care of bishop Wiesław Alojzy Mering who acts on behalf of the Diocese of Włocławek as the governing authority.