WARSAW

A commission investigating sexual abuse in the Sosnowiec diocese in southwestern Poland presented its first conclusions Thursday, saying the findings send a “sharp but clear” message focused on the protection of victims, accountability of clergy and cooperation with law enforcement.

The findings come amid continued public scrutiny about how the Catholic Church in Poland has handled allegations of sexual abuse and the extent to which church institutions have cooperated with secular authorities. In recent years, a series of high-profile cases have exposed patterns of delayed reporting, internal disciplinary proceedings taking precedence over criminal investigations and the transfer of accused priests between parishes.

The report was presented by the Commission for Clarification and Redress of Sensitive Matters in the Diocese of Sosnowiec. The six-member commission includes experts in canon law, psychology, church history and public communication.

Tomasz Smalcerz, the diocesan chancellor, said at a news conference that the message of the report was unequivocal.

“The message is sharp, but very clear — concern for those who have been harmed, concern for clergy so that children and young people are protected, and concern for truth and faith, which every act of harm destroys,” said Smalcerz. He added that canonical proceedings and cooperation with state prosecutors would continue “with appropriate severity.”

Smalcerz said all cases previously known to church authorities had been reported in accordance with Article 240 of Poland’s criminal code, which obliges institutions to notify prosecutors of serious crimes. Any new cases uncovered during the commission’s work, he said, had been reported immediately to law enforcement.

The issue of sexual abuse by clergy has become one of the most serious crises facing the Catholic Church in Poland, a country where the church has traditionally played a central social, cultural and political role.

More than 70% of Poles identify as Catholic, and the church has long been regarded as a moral authority, particularly due to its role in opposing communist rule before 1989.

That standing has been significantly weakened in recent years by revelations of abuse and accusations that church leaders failed to act decisively. Against that backdrop, the Sosnowiec report is seen as part of a broader effort by some dioceses to confront past failures more openly, even as critics argue that accountability remains uneven across the country.

The commission’s stated short-term aim was to reach out to victims and offer assistance. Its broader goal is to identify the causes and scope of abuse, assess its effect and rebuild trust in the church community and clergy.