News In Brief

Solidarity leaders blame Warsaw in priest's abduction

Solidarity founder Lech Walesa and underground leaders of the outlawed union said Wednesday that Poland's communist authorities bear responsibility for the abduction of a pro-Solidarity priest, the Rev. Jerzy Popieluszko. Pope John Paul II issued an appeal in the Vatican yesterday for his release and called his abduction ''an inhuman act.''

Fr. Popieluszko was abducted on a highway Oct. 19 near Torun, northwest of Warsaw. No one has claimed responsibility.

Government spokesman Jerzy Urban said Tuesday the kidnapping of Fr. Popieluszko was a politically motivated act aimed against the communist leadership. He said the entire police force was investigating the case.