Nieobyczajności episkopatu Królestwa Polskiego (w związku z Instrukcją na synod piotrkowski z 1551 roku)

Abstract

Instruction for the Piotrków Synod of 1551 was drafted in result of a change in the post of Krakow Bishop. It was mainly addressed against a new shepherd of the capital diocese - Bishop Andrzej Zebrzydowski and his ideological and political supporters in the episcopate. The document was edited in the Krakow chapter by the former bishop's, Samuel Maciejowski's coterie, who lost their power and influence after his leaving. The document was publicly presented in June Piotrków Synod, before Zebrzydowski's episcopal enthronement. It was a peculiar act of revenge taken by his opponents and defeated competitors to this bishopric. Using unrefined language, they groundlessly accused Zebrzydowski and almost entire episcopate and abbots of all possible "and intolerable indecencies: from moral to theological heresies, without providing any evidence for them. The accusations invariably started with the words fama est. Showing hypocritical concern, the authors - members of the chapter - presented their fantasies as rumors that were allegedly circulating among people. BasicaIly false accusations could not withstand the reality and, paradoxically, confirmed the authors' hypocrisy. Morally degenerated chapter, among others due to the rule of two former bishops: Piotr Gamrat and Samuel Maciejowski, required moral reform themselves. Therefore, those researchers who assess Andrzej Zebrzydowski, as a bishop and senator, based on Instruction of the Krakow chapter of 1551, distort historicaI truth. This document is not a reliable source of information to evaluate either Krakow bishop or other episcopate members. It may only be treated as an example of a squib used in the political fight in the mid-16th century.