between modernity and tradition" (Kowalski 1997: 148). Criticism In the time of the People's Republic of Poland (PRL), Tygodnik Powszechny was known to be the magazine that allowed publishing of some criticism of the communist authorities, although within the boundaries set by state censors. After 1989, the magazine was seen to represent one option in a dialogue within the Church that was called "open Catholicism", which received criticism from people of other circles. After 1989, Tygodnik Powszechny was believed to represent only one political party, the Democratic Union, which was later transformed into the Freedom Union. Many people involved in the magazine participated in the political changes of the era (Józefa Hennelowa, Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Krzysztof Kozłowski). The critics of the Cracow weekly magazine often quote the letter written by John Paul II on 15 May 1995, on the occasion of the magazine's 50th anniversary: The year 1989 brought Poland deep changes connected with the downfall of the communist system. Resumption of independence paradoxically coincided with an increased assault of secular left-wing parties and liberal groups directed against the Church, the Episcopate as well as against the Pope. I felt it especially in the context of my last visit to Poland in 1991. The point was to erase from the memory of citizens what was the role of the Church in the nation within the space of the last years. Accusations and slanders about clericalism were multiplying as well as those about the alleged intention of the Church to rule Poland and about hindering political emancipation in the Polish society. Forgive me, if I say that those influences were also visible in Tygodnik Powszechny. In those difficult times, unfortunately the Church did not find in it any support and defense which in a way it could have expected: “it did not feel cherished enough” – like I once said.– Letter of 15 May 1995 from John Paul II to Jerzy Turowicz, editor-in-chief, Tygodnik Powszechny See also List of magazines in Poland Controversial article about Russian secret operations in Poland Further reading Christian Heidrich: Die neue Frage nach Gott und Kirche. Ein Blick auf "Tygodnik Powszechny" und "Christ in der Gegenwart". In: Aleksandra Chylewska-Tölle / Christian Heidrich (Editors): Mäander des Kulturtransfers. Polnische und deutsche Kirche im 20. Jahrhundert. Berlin [Logos Verlag] 2014, p. 249–275. Michał Jagiełło, "Tygodnik Powszechny" i komunizm, Warszawa: NOWA, 1988 Jacek Żakowski, Anatomia smaku czyli rozmowy o losach zespołu