Przegląd Zachodniopomorski

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The purpose of this article is to investigate the process of erection in Gorzów the capital of Apostolic Administration of Kamień Pomorski, Lubusz, and Prelature of Piła – in fact the biggest diocese in Poland in the years 1945–1972. This process was composed of two elements: 1) decisions of the higher authorities of the Catholic Church, and 2) activity of the local government. As follows from the analysis of files in the State Archive in Gorzów Wielkopolski, the decision of the Church authorities was accidental. From mid August 1945 they were in search of a suitable seat for the diocese authorities. The natural, biggest centre in this area was Szczecin, but it was rejected, probably because of its peripheral location, and lack of guarantee that it will remain in Poland at that. On the other hand, Rev. Edmund Nowicki came accidentally to Gorzów as early as in August 1945. It was the first bigger town centre in the planned Administration’s territory he came to. He was extremely friendly welcomed by the local government administration headed by the Government Representative Florian Kroenke. In the decision to locate the capital of the Apostolic Administration in Gorzów he saw support to his efforts to make Gorzów capital of the Lubusz Land. To convince Rev. Nowicki of his favourable attitude, he ordered several renovations works in the church that had to become cathedral which were made at the city’s expense. This is perfectly demonstrated in the files preserved in the State Archive in Gorzów Wielkopolski.