The World - News from April 27, 1989

Poland’s premier presented Parliament with a bill that would normalize relations between the Communist state and the Roman Catholic Church and guarantee the church autonomy. Proclaiming the start of a “new era,” Premier Mieczyslaw F. Rakowski introduced the measure in a speech to the 460-member Parliament. The legislation was agreed to by church negotiators earlier this month. Passage, expected next month, will clear the way to establishing diplomatic relations between the Polish government and the Vatican. The Vatican has for years refused to grant relations until the local church’s status is resolved.