Fr Piotr Krakowiak SAC, Administrator of Ss Ninian & Triduana in Restalrig, Edinburgh, has published a new book to help raise funds for repairs to the church roof.
A Pallottine priest, academic and former hospice director, Fr Piotr has worked extensively in palliative and hospice care and has served in Scotland since 2016.
‘God and the Human Person: Four Decades of Seaching’ also marks 40 years since he entered the Pallottine novitiate in Poland and the conclusion of 25 years of university work.
In this interview, Fr Piotr explains what inspired the book, reflects on the milestones it marks, and tells us why he hopes it will contribute not only to the renovation of the church roof, but also to a renewal of spiritual life.
What prompted you to write God and the Human Person?
Our parish is exploring different ways to raise funds for our leaking church roof. As 2026 marks forty years since I entered the Pallottine novitiate in Poland, the end of my twenty-five years of university work, and ten years of ministry in Scotland, I felt it was the right moment to publish a book. And for the first time, I have written not for academic points or impact factors, but from the heart—for my parishioners, friends and all people of goodwill – in English and in Polish.
Who would you particularly encourage to read the book?
This is a story of responding to God’s call and a personal journey through forty years of religious life, with special attention given to my years in Scotland.
A substantial part of the book explores more than five centuries of Scottish–Polish history and many fascinating connections that remain surprisingly little known.
Here I have adapted parts of my earlier academic work published in Polish only, making them shorter, clearer and, I hope, much more enjoyable to read.
What is the central message you hope readers will take from the book?
The book ends with a simple appeal: repairing the roofs over our heads is important, but even more important is the constant renewal of our spiritual lives.
My own story and struggles with spirituality show that faith, vocation and our relationship with God are never “finished” – they need continual attention, courage and renewal.
Is there one Scottish–Polish story or historical connection that readers may find particularly surprising?
Many readers may be surprised to discover that there was a time when as many as 30,000 Scottish families lived in Poland, and a Scotsman was elected Mayor of Warsaw several times.
The book then follows the story into the last century: showing Polish people contributing to the Marian Shrine at Carfin, defending Scotland during the Second World War, and later building new lives far from a homeland to which many could not return.
The chapters on migration after 2004 also help Scottish readers understand the Polish neighbours, colleagues and parishioners behind those sometimes difficult names & surnames!
What does the church building mean to the parish community, and why is the roof project important?
Our Parish celebrates 120 years, and St Ninian & St Triduana was built by Irish immigrants and cared for by successive generations of Irish, Scottish and Italian families in Restalrig and the surrounding area.
Today it is the spiritual home of a vibrant international community. Through this book, I invite everyone -and especially the newest generation of Polish parishioners – to become part of that continuing story. Our patrons beautifully express who we are: St Ninian, a Scottish bishop, and St Triduana, a virgin and martyr who came to Scotland as migrant religious. Repairing the roof means preserving not simply a building, but a living house of prayer, welcome and hope for generations to come.
‘God and the Human Person: Four Decades of Seaching’ by Fr Piotr Krakowiak SAC is available to from the parish for a minimum donation of £10, or by emailing zrodlo.informator@gmail.com
