Documents of the Polish Bishops' Conference
Statement of the Delegate for the Protection of Children and Youth of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
I am deeply moved by what I saw in Tomasz Sekielski’s film. The enormous suffering of people who have been hurt triggers pain and shame. At this moment, I also have before my eyes the drama of the victims whom I have met personally. I thank all those who have the courage to speak about their suffering.
Statement of the President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference after having watched Tomasz Sekielski’s film
Today I was deeply moved and saddened when watching Mr. Sekielski's film, and I would like to thank him for this film. For the most part, the message of the film corresponds to my experience gained during the many conversations I have held with the victims. I am convinced that this film, too, will result in an even more stringent compliance with the guidelines for the protection of children and young people in the Church, in the implementation by all bishops of prevention principles in each diocese, and in the compliance with the Motu proprio that Pope Francis promulgated the day before yesterday.
Communication of the 382nd Plenary Assembly of the Polish Bishops' Conference
Statistical data concerning abuse of minors by some clerics, family values and celebration of Sunday, protection of human life and the issue of attempts to interfere in the organization of religion classes at school - were the topics of the 382nd Plenary Assembly of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, which ended on March 14 in Warsaw. In addition to the Communication summarizing the Assembly, the bishops issued two positions: on the celebration of Sunday and on the so-called LGBT-Carta.
The study concerning reported cases of sexual abuse of minors
382 reported cases of sexual abuse of minors, including 198 cases concerning minors under the age of 15, and 184 above the age of 15; the reported cases cover the time from January 1, 1990, to June 30, 2018 - according to the data received by the Secretariat of the Polish Bishops’ Conference from all dioceses and religious orders. They were elaborated by the Institute for Catholic Church Statistics and the Child Protection Centre.
Activities of the Church in Poland in terms of prevention and protection of children and youth 2005-2019
Since 2005, the Catholic Church has been particularly involved in efforts to protect children and young people against sexual abuse by clerics. At the initiative of the Church, the Child Protection Center was established, about 3,000 priests were trained in prevention, and in each diocese there is a delegate dealing with the protection of children and youth.
The Polish Bishops’ Conference: Zero Tolerance for the Crimes of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Clergy
We publish data on the activities of the Church in Poland concerning the prevention of sexual exploitation of minors by members of the clergy. These include assistance to victims, prosecution of perpetrators and development of prevention programs. The Catholic Church is the most advanced institution in this field in our country.
