Award-winning documentary reveals the modern true story of heroic Polish martyr

Contact: Kevin Wandra, 404-788-1276

ATLANTA, April 8, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Blessed Father Jerzy Popieluszko was the courageous chaplain of the Solidarity movement in Poland in the early 1980's, and it was his strong faith, conviction and courage that mobilized a nation to stand against the communist regime there. The remarkable story of Father Jerzy, a 21st century hero of human rights who was murdered is 1984 by the Polish government, is told in the award-winning documentary Messenger of the Truth, which became available on DVD and public television on April 1.

Narrated by Catholic activist and actor Martin Sheen, Messenger of the Truth chronicles Father Jerzy's opposition to Poland's oppressive Communist leaders, who harassed, arrested, threatened, imprisoned and, eventually, murdered him for speaking the truth in a country full of propaganda, oppression and social injustice.

"A must-see documentary for all who believe in the rights of religious liberty, the dignity of the human person, and those who are lovers of freedom and defenders of the truth," says His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York.

At Fr. Jerzy's funeral, an estimated 1 million people surrounded his church in Warsaw and promised to continue his struggle for freedom through non-violence. Blessed Pope John Paul II, a son of Poland and advocate for the end of communism in his country and around the world, admired Fr. Jerzy's courageous stand for freedom and truth. In 1987, shortly before the fall of communism in Poland, Pope John Paul II prayed at his gravesite in a remarkable sign of his support for the young priest's life and death. Fr. Jerzy was beatified on June 6, 2010, in Warsaw and is expected to be canonized in the near future.

Messenger of the Truth was awarded first place in the documentary category at the 28th International Catholic Film Festival in Warsaw, Poland, and will be awarded the Christopher Award for the category of TV documentary on May 15th from The Christophers at their 65th annual award gala in New York City.

The 90-minute documentary will air nationwide on American Public Television stations; the first broadcast aired April 1 in Milwaukee, WI. Check your local listing for date and time.

To request a review copy of the documentary, or to schedule an interview with the spokespersons -- Gary Chartrand, executive producer, or Father Remek Blaszkowski, who assisted in the production of the film -- please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com) of Carmel Communications.