Andrzej Maria Deskur

Life and career

Deskur was born in Sancygniów, near Kielce, Poland, the son of Stanisława (Kossecka) and Andrzej Deskur. He received a doctorate in law in 1945 from the Jagiellonian University (study underground). He was the secretary general of the very important post-war Polish student organization called "Bratniak". He entered the seminary in Kraków and was ordained a priest on 20 August 1950. He obtained a doctorate in theology from the University of Freiburg and, after two years of pastoral activity and study in France and Switzerland, in September 1952, he was called to Rome to work in the Secretariat of State. During this period he served as undersecretary of the Pontifical Commission for Cinematography, Radio and Television (1954–1964), secretary of the Preparatory Secretariat for the Press and Entertainment during Vatican II (1960–1962), peritus for the assembly of the Council (1962–1965) and was a member of the Conciliar Commissions for Bishops, for the Clergy, for the Laity, and for the Press and Entertainment.

In 1973 he was named president of the Pontifical Commission (now Council) for Social Communications. He was appointed titular bishop of Tene on 17 June 1974 and received episcopal ordination the following June 30. On 15 February 1980, John Paul II named him Archbishop and president emeritus of the Pontifical Commission.

Deskur was raised to the Cardinalate on May 25, 1985, becoming Cardinal-Deacon of San Cesareo in Palatio, that had belonged to Pope John Paul II himself until his elevation to the Papacy. After ten years as a Cardinal-Deacon he exercised his right and his titular church was elevated and he became Cardinal-Priest. Cardinal Deskur lost the right to participate in the conclave when he turned 80 years old in 2004.

Deskur contributed to numerous congresses and meetings for professionals of the press, radio, television and cinema, visiting about 70 countries on five continents. Among other endeavours, he was one of the promoters of the radio station "Radio Veritas" for countries in Asia and Oceania.

The challenge of promoting Christianity in the field of social communications did not impede Cardinal Deskur from dedicating himself also to pastoral activity. During all his years in Rome he performed his priestly and episcopal ministry in numerous parishes. For many years he devoted himself to the office of spiritual director at the pre-seminary St. Pius V.

He was President of the Pontifical Academy of the Immaculate Conception.

Curial membership:

Deskur died on 3 September 2011, aged 87. He was buried at the St. John Paul II Center, Krakow, Poland.