Polish church told to curb political gestures

June 20, 1983

Polish government spokesman Jerzy Urban made an implied criticism Sunday of the Roman Catholic Church's management of crowd control at the Pope's public appearances, reports Monitor special correspondent Eric Bourne.

The criticism seemed aimed at the marshals mobilized by the church with instructions not only to keep order, but also to prevent any attempts at overt political demonstration.

What appears to be causing the authorities concern is the way in which the name of the outlawed trade union, Solidarity, is appearing in many forms before and after the religious ceremonies.