In God we trust, but, as Stella Maris discovered, the rest pay cash

However, this figure is but a mere fraction of the total debts run up by the church's publishing house, Stella Maris. Indeed, while it has been reported that the company owes zł.20 million resulting from the activities of its former manager, Father Zbigniew B., who currently stands accused of money laundering, it is possible that its debts actually total some zł.40 million. "There are ongoing talks with the creditors. I believe we will find an agreement," said Jarosław Szarmach, Stella Maris' new head. If the negotiations fail, however, the bailiffs may well be forced to start auctioning off the curia's antique possessions, including 17th century paintings by Herman Han, several pieces of 19th century furniture and a table on which it is alleged the Peace Treaty of Oliwa was signed in 1660. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A4, Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 6) M.K.