Created almost 30 years ago, the Lux ex Silesia prize is awarded to people who, in their activities – scientific, artistic and social – demonstrate high moral values ​​and make a lasting contribution to the culture of Upper Silesia. .

– Thank you very much, Mr. Antoni, for the testimony of life. Today in the Gospel the subject of gratitude was touched on – and we are grateful to you for this and we could compose a whole litany of what we want to thank you for. First of all, thank you for the testimony of life, for the attachment to the system of values, for the love of paternity. And also thank you very much for the fact that you have always played fair and taught such a game, and conveyed these values. We are very grateful for this, said Archbishop Wiktor Skworc of Katowice after receiving the award.

See also: Antoni Piechniczek turns 80

While thanking for the distinction, Antoni Piechniczek recalled many Silesian athletes – record holders in their disciplines, worthy of the award.

– I feel extremely honored and wonder how many people from sport in Silesia – world record holders, Olympic medalists, outstanding coaches – could stand in the place where I am now, and how many would deserve this kind of distinction. Therefore, I am doubly satisfied – said the rewarded coach.

Piechniczek recalled his participation – as a high school student – in the annual men’s pilgrimages to the Piekary Śląskie shrine, where homilies were then delivered, among others Cardinals Karol Wojtyła and Stefan Wyszyński. It was there – says the laureate – that he learned the ethos of the family, the ethos of work and the attachment to the “little homeland”, which is particularly important in Silesia.

In praise, the vice-rector of the Academy of Physical Education (AWF) in Katowice, prof. Rajmund Tomik recalled what the success of the football team led by Piechniczka at the World Cup in Spain was for the Poles during the difficult period of martial law.

– These matches, this success, cheered the tormented nation, allowed us to forget the hopeless reality that surrounded us, at least for a moment, filled many of us with hope for a better future. The main creator of this success was Antoni Piechniczek – Light of Silesia – said Professor AWF.

Antoni Piechniczek, 80, has been cooperating with the University of Physical Education in Katowice for more than 20 years, he is an honorary doctor of this university. As he mentioned on Sunday, in his academic work it was particularly important for him to work on Polish formation thought. The laureate is also, among others, an honorary citizen of Świętochłowice, Opole and Chorzów.

Teacher. Tomik pointed out that with his attitude, achievements and attachment to Silesia, the young footballer, playing at Legia Warszawa, “showed his Silesian peers that there is more to it and probably inspired many to come out in wider waters”.

Antoni Piechniczek was born on May 3, 1942 in Chorzów. He started playing football in Zrywie Chorzów, later he played for Naprzodzie Lipiny, Legia Warszawa, Ruch Chorzów and French Chateauroux. In 1964 he won the Polish Cup with Legia and in 1968 the Polish Championship with Ruch Chorzów. He played three matches for the Polish national team. He played midfield and right-back.

He had the most success as a coach. He presented the Polish national team twice at the World Cup – in 1982 in Spain and in 1986 in Mexico. In Spain, his team won third place, and in Mexico, they entered the 1/8 finals.

Announcing August 17 this year. The name of the winner of this year’s Lux ex Silesia award, Bishop Skworc, noted that Antoni Piechniczek had gone through all levels of a sports career – from a small fan to a footballer, to a coach at the coach of the Polish national football team. Later, Piechniczek also coached the Tunisian and United Arab Emirates national teams. After finishing his coaching career, he was, among other things, Śląski voivodship councilor, senator, vice-president of the Polish Football Association.

The Lux ex Silesia prize is awarded to people associated with Upper Silesia, characterized by Christian virtues and outstanding scientific, artistic or social achievements. The award was funded in 1994 by the then Metropolitan of Katowice, Archbishop Damian Zimoń. So far they have received it, among others linguist Irena Bajerowa, composers Henryk Mikołaj Górecki and Wojciech Kilar, doctors Kornel Gibiński, Franciszek Kokot and Władysław Nasiłowski, linguist Jan Miodek, bishop of the diocese of Opole, Archbishop Alfons Nossol, director of the Library of Silesia Jan Malicki, Song and Dance Ensemble “Śląsk” and actor Franciszek Pieczka.

The prize for Antoni Piechniczka was presented on Sunday at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Katowice during the interuniversity inauguration of the academic year in Silesian universities, which has been held here for 42 years.

In his homily, Bishop Wiktor Skworc of Katowice referred to the figure of St. Francis, emphasizing that his attitude can be an encouragement to – as he said – “opt for another way of understanding the quality of life – more contemplative, capable of deep joy, avoiding the obsession of consumption”, in accordance with the motto “Less is more”.

The Metropolitan called for an appropriate approach to environmental issues, citing Church teaching in this area.

– Let us remember these recommendations at the start of the new academic year, especially in the situation of the energy crisis, when voices are being raised that environmental protection standards can or even must be suspended – said the hierarch.

He recalled the appeal of the bishops of the province of Silesia from 2015, which indicated, among other things, on the need to act together to radically change the quality of the air.

– The plans for the elimination of the so-called low emissions must be reinforced today by an examination of ecological conscience – then quoted the appeal of Archbishop Skworc.

He stressed that “the air should be cleared of the effects of human carelessness – especially now during the heating season, when rubbish, trash and plastic objects are lightly burned in the ovens”.

– You should not contribute to small environmental disasters by heating an apartment or a house. It depends on our conscience and our responsibility whether the air in the place where we live and in the whole region is good for our health. Today we must add to this a call for the cooperation of all entities of social life, in order to take care of all those affected by energy poverty or even exclusion – said the Metropolitan of Katowice in the Sunday homily.

RM, PAP

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