The President of the Polish Episcopate encourages to participate in parliamentary elections

“I encourage everyone to participate in the prayer for a successful conduct of the vote. I wish everyone that the campaign period would be remembered not so much as a time of struggle for power, but rather as a time of fruitful discussion about the good of our Homeland and directions of its integral development” – wrote the President of the Polish Episcopate.

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki recalled the basic principles of Catholic Social Teaching regarding the responsibility of Catholics for political life. He emphasized that „nothing, except in extraordinary circumstances, justifies the absence of Catholics in public affairs”.

“I am aware of the fact that - as far as the order of worldly matters is concerned - there may also be legitimate differences of opinion between Catholics. Pluralism, however, cannot mean moral relativism. Fundamental ethical principles - due to their nature and role they play in social life - cannot be the subject of +negotiations+“ – emphasized Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki.

Referring to teaching i.a. of St. John Paul II and Pope Francis, the President of the Polish Episcopate stressed: “Catholics should support programs defending the right to life from conception to natural death, guaranteeing the legal definition of marriage as a lasting relationship of one man and one woman, promoting family policy, supporting fertility, guaranteeing the right of parents to raising their own offspring in accordance with professed faith and moral beliefs. Therefore, Catholics cannot support programs that promote abortion, try to redefine the institution of marriage, try to limit the rights of parents in the area of ​​responsibility for raising their children, and promote demoralization of children and young people. They cannot vote for a candidate who expresses views that raise objections from a moral point of view or are risky from a political point of view” – he noted.

“I deeply believe that – regardless of the divisions and political and social tensions in Poland – it is possible and necessary to build a national community through dialogue and solidarity in truth, mutual respect and with future generations in mind. Let us not arouse emotions that would make it difficult for us to treat each other with respect after the elections” – stressed the President of the Polish Episcopate.

Press Office of the Polish Bishops' Conference

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The Word of the President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference before the parliamentary elections (2019)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The upcoming parliamentary elections are an opportunity for me to recall some basic principles of Catholic Social Teaching regarding the responsibility of Catholics for political life.

Encouraging to take part in the elections, I would like to remind first of all that from a moral point of view the love of the Homeland and responsibility for the common good require everyone to exercise the right to vote. Nothing, except in extraordinary circumstances, justifies the absence of Catholics in public affairs.

In the process of making a responsible choice of the right candidate, one should take into account: his moral integrity, competence in the field of political and civic life, confirmed by previous public activity, a witness of life in the family and small homeland. Personality features such as expressive identity, respect for every human being, attitude of dialogue and ability to cooperate with others, the ability to wisely resolve conflicts, love of the Homeland and treating authority as service are also important. Choosing such candidates gives a greater chance for an integral and solidary development of our country.

At the same time I am aware of the fact that – as far as the order of worldly matters is concerned – there may also be legitimate differences of opinion between Catholics. Pluralism, however, cannot mean moral relativism. Fundamental ethical principles – due to their nature and role they play in social life – cannot be the subject of “negotiations”. As popes have reminded us many times, i.a. St. John Paul II, and more recently Pope Francis, Catholics should support programs defending the right to life from conception to natural death, guaranteeing a legal definition of marriage as a lasting relationship of one man and one woman, promoting family policy, supporting fertility, guaranteeing the right of parents to raise their own offspring in accordance with professed faith and moral beliefs. Therefore, Catholics cannot support programs that promote abortion, try to redefine the institution of marriage, try to limit the rights of parents in the area of ​​responsibility for raising their children, or promote demoralization of children and young people. They cannot vote for a candidate who expresses views that raise objections from a moral point of view or are risky from a political point of view.

I deeply believe that – regardless of the divisions and political and social tensions in Poland – it is possible and necessary to build a national community through dialogue and solidarity in truth, mutual respect and with future generations in mind. Let us not arouse emotions that would make it difficult for us to treat each other with respect after the elections.

I encourage everyone to participate in the prayer for a successful conduct of the vote. I wish everyone that the campaign period would be remembered not so much as a time of struggle for power, but rather as a time of fruitful discussion about the good of our Homeland and directions of its integral development. And I am asking the winners of the election to become real “instruments of peace and reconciliation”.

+ Stanisław Gądecki

Archbishop of Poznań

President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

Vice-President of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe

Warsaw, 1 October 2019