Solidarity Must Return to its Roots
Pope John Paul II encourages members of the labor union to serve their nation
VATICAN CITY – The Polish delegation with members of the Solidarity labor union who visited the Vatican on Tuesday, Nov. 11, was encouraged to return to its roots in serving the nation.
"It is necessary that your union openly defends workers who are denied the right to speak out, or to express opposition to the phenomena that violate the fundamental rights of the worker," the Pope John Paul II said to his fellow Polish kin.
"All workers, regardless of who is in power in the country, depend on your help in defending their lawful rights,” he continued.
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In particular, the Pontiff pointed to the default in the payment of salaries, "a grave sin that cries out for vengeance from heaven."
Solidarity is known for the crucial role it played in brining the downfall of communism in Poland during the late 1980s.
“The urgency to guarantee the dignity and efficacy of human work has not lost its importance," John Paul II continued.
"If Solidarity really wants to serve the nation, it must return to its roots."
