CATHOLIC CHURCH AT THE CROSSROADS : THE POLISH CASE

Abstract

Poland and Poles are and have always been strongly
attached to Catholicism. In the national tradition, we define
ourselves as the „rampart (defensive wall) of Christianity,” securing
Europe from the dominance of Islam (the Ottoman Empire).
During the partition period, confession was the determinant of being
a Pole. The Catholic Church was perceived as a mainstay of Polish
national identity, the only institution where Polish language could
be used. The church was similarly treated during the communist
period, as well - it was the mainstay of patriotism, helped the illegal
opposition, organized help for the persecuted.
No wonder that in the traditional social narrative the church was
and still is treated as a national institution, and confession as an
important (even dominant) component of national identity. Being
a Catholic was a source of pride, after all we had the Polish Pope.
Why, then, the thesis that it is at a crossroads? I assume that it
is determined by the present conditions and processes that take
place on a global scale. Poland, which has been surprised by full
churches, currently has the largest decline in dominicantes and
communicantes in the whole world, despite the fact that most of
the Poles declare themselves to be Catholics.
What decides about it? In my opinion, approaching Catholicism and
its practices as a shelf in a supermarket - one chooses what is useful
to him at a given moment. There is also another aspect of Church
activity in Poland - political activity that expresses support for those
parties that appeal to nationalism, traditional narrative to the
role of the Church in the past and influencing the creation of the
law, that religious dogmas/norms (Catholic) should be respected.
This testifies to the weakness of the evangelizing and educational
mission of the Church.
Keywords: Catholic