An isolated commune in Poland awaiting the end of the world
The Sekta Niebo, also known as the Heaven Sect or the Christian Church of Healing by the Spirit of God, was a small but controversial religious movement that caught public attention in Poland. Founded in 1990 by Bogdan Kacmajor, a self-proclaimed prophet and reincarnation of Elijah, it aimed to establish a commune of chosen people to survive what they believed would be the imminent end of the world by the year 2000. Kacmajor, a charismatic figure with a strong presence, claimed absolute healing powers through the laying on of hands, learned, as he asserted, through a prophetic dream sent by God. This claim attracted around 50 members to the sect, who showed their commitment by taking new names, destroying their identity documents, and living in total submission to Kacmajor.
Life within the sect was marked by radical practices and beliefs. Members refused conventional medical treatment, relying solely on Kacmajor’s healing powers, even for serious illnesses like AIDS. They also rejected public education for their children, based on Kacmajor’s claim that secular education contradicted biblical miracles. This community lived isolated from society, dedicating themselves to agriculture and maintaining a large communal home where they would share meals and discuss spiritual visions. Over time, however, the idyllic communal life began to unravel due to increasing legal and societal challenges. Reports of kidnapping and illegal detention of children emerged, and the sect’s total social alienation led to numerous legal troubles.
The dramatic shift in the sect’s fortune is vividly illustrated by the stories of its members, such as Sebastian Keller, who after five years of membership, lamented his involvement, citing severe health deterioration and a loss of normal life. The sect’s radical activities, including renaming its members with bizarre names, refusing formal education for children, and engaging in theft to sustain themselves, alienated them from the surrounding community. Such behaviors led to conflicts with local residents and law enforcement. The sect’s decline was hastened by a campaign led by the Catholic Church and related movements, which resulted in its disbandment and the initiation of several court cases against Kacmajor by 2008.
image via Gazeta Weekend
