A story of the persecution and survival of the Polish Church during communist rule.

Jaruzelski too recognized the winds of change and embraced Gorbachev’s policies of perestroika and glasnost: progress and transparency. Jaruzelski desperately needed an off ramp from where he had taken Poland. After the kidnapping and murder of Father Jerzy, his regime was completely delegitimized, and only sustained itself by tanks and guns. So, he suddenly eased censorship, and allowed for new associations for artists and intellectuals. Hundreds of new churches were suddenly approved and began construction. Catholic activists were then invited to work with the regime to create an advisory council to the Council of State. 

Despite these efforts, the self-sustaining momentum of the communist regime in Poland had finally run out. The economy spiraled – and now, there was no one left to blame. Prices skyrocketed. Store shelves were empty. Foreign debt was off the charts. The communist party began to fracture between hardliners, reformers, and those who wanted to pretend to be reformers. 

Solidarity still existed underground, supported by the Vatican and America, and wielded massive influence – best estimates say solidarity connected around 200,000 Poles who actively engaged in coordinated political resistance. 

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For show transcripts and sources, please visit gatesofhellpod.com.