Cold War cardinal and blind nun beatified in Poland

Catholic faithful attend the beatification ceremony of Polish Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski and Mother Elzbieta Roza Czacka in Warsaw, Poland September 12, 2021. Slawomir Kaminski/Agencja Gazeta via REUTERS

WARSAW (Reuters) - A Polish cardinal persecuted by communist authorities during the Cold War and a nun dedicated to helping the blind took a step towards sainthood on Sunday when they were beatified.

Though shaken by child abuse scandals, the Catholic Church remains enormously important in Poland and was seen by many as a voice for freedom during decades of communist rule up to 1989.