The Primate of Poland: The culture of meeting and dialogue is the foundation of peace
The culture of meeting and dialogue is the foundation of peace in the homeland and in the world, said the Primate of Poland, Archbishop Wojciech Polak, during the annual meeting of the Presidential Couple with representatives of Churches and religious associations. This took place on 18th January in Warsaw.
In his speech at the Presidential Palace, the Primate of Poland, on behalf of the Catholic Church in Poland, gave thanks for his invitation and extended New Year's wishes of love and peace to President Andrzej Duda, his wife, colleagues and all the gathered people. Referring to the difficult events of the past year, Archbishop Polak emphasized that "Often, in the midst of these internal disputes and problems, sensitivity to suffering of a specific person becomes lost, who, being a victim of a ruthless regime and a prey for criminals, still does not always find protection and the necessary help from us."
The Primate of Poland admitted that the general social situation also affects the lives of members of the Catholic Church, "which itself also struggles with internal problems related to the implementation of the call to conversion, also institutional, to undertake the necessary reform and regain social trust." As he added, "it is accompanied by a crisis of faith, especially of the young generation, and the difficulties resulting from the pandemic."
Among numerous problems and difficulties, Archbishop Polak described the long-awaited beatification of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, which took place on 12th September last year. He recalled that the Primate of the Millennium "courageously stood up for the respect of human rights, freedom of conscience and freedom of religion". "He, too, by saying the memorable words together with the bishops: we forgive and ask for forgiveness, despite the misunderstandings and protests of many, contributed to the opening of the process of reconciliation between Poles and Germans," he said.
The Archbishop of Gniezno expressed the conviction that the difficult challenges and experiences of the present reality which also are a concern for the Homeland require just such an attitude of the Church and its pastors. "If we read these words in the spirit of the teaching and ministry of Cardinal Wyszyński, then without unnecessary discussions and disputes, we will understand his indication that the role of the Church is not to engage in natural controversies in political life, or even to resolve them. It is not about gaining privileges for yourself or supporting one of the sides, ”said the Polish Archbishop.
“Our presence and mission in a pluralist society must constantly remind us of the necessity of dialogue in building a just and lawful social order. The culture of meeting and dialogue is the foundation of peace in the homeland and in the world. It is not only a platform for mutual understanding, but also a pillar in building roads and bridges, which are necessary for a life in peace, ”emphasized the Polish Archbishop.
He concluded his speech with prayers for peace and love.
We publish the text of the speech:
On behalf of the Catholic Church in Poland, I would like to thank the President for inviting the representatives of churches and religious associations to this annual meeting. The beginning of each new year is undoubtedly an opportunity, on the one hand, to make some summaries, and on the other, to look into the future. The past time in our homeland and in the Church brought with it very specific, often difficult experiences and challenges that we had to face. The ongoing pandemic of the coronavirus, the humanitarian crisis on our eastern border, but also in a broader perspective - as Pope Francis pointed out to us - ideologically opposed to security and solidarity, local and universal dimensions, tradition and openness. All of this gives rise to fear, uncertainty and the desire for radical modifications of social relations. Often in the midst of these internal disputes and problems, sensitivity to the suffering of a specific person is lost, who, being a victim of a ruthless regime and a prey for criminals, still does not always find protection and the necessary help with us. The general social situation has an impact on the life and spiritual experience of these matters by members of the Catholic Church, which is also struggling with internal problems related to the implementation of the call to conversion. Also she suffers from institutional problems, to undertake the necessary reform and regain social trust. This is accompanied by a crisis of faith, especially of the young generation, and the difficulties resulting from the pandemic, which has had a significant impact on the daily life and mission of the Church community.
A peculiar sign of hope which, as the Church in Poland, we perceive among the many problems that are so acutely revealed and redness was the long-awaited beatification of Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński, the Primate of Poland. Although he said about himself that he was neither a politician, nor a diplomat, nor a reformer, nor a social activist, many Poles felt that he deserved to be called a great statesman due to his adamant attitude in confrontation with the totalitarian communist system. He courageously stood up for respect of human rights, freedom of conscience and freedom of religion. He also, by saying the memorable words with the bishops: we forgive and ask for forgiveness, despite the misunderstanding and protests of many, contributed to the opening of the process of reconciliation between Poles and Germans. I recall these words because I am convinced that our reality, with its difficult challenges and experiences, our cooperation and care for the Homeland, also requires such an attitude from the Church and its pastors. They demand such a view of the Church. If we read these words in the spirit of the teaching and ministry of Primate Wyszyński, then without unnecessary discussions and disputes we will understand his indication that the role of the Church is not to engage in natural controversies in political life, or to resolve them. It is not about gaining privileges for yourself or standing up for a side. Our presence and mission in a pluralist society must constantly remind us of the necessity of dialogue in building a just and lawful social order. The culture of meeting and dialogue is the foundation of peace in the homeland and in the world. It is not only a platform for mutual understanding, but also a pillar in building roads and bridges, which are necessary for a life in peace.
Thanking once again for this meeting today, which - I believe - is also an expression of our common concern and love for the Motherland, on behalf of the Catholic Church in Poland, I would like to extend my best wishes to the President, his Spouse and Co-workers, and to each of those present. Aware of the tensions and difficulties that exist today, and at the same time living the hope of peace, we wish to reiterate with Pope Francis that peace is a contagious good that spreads from the hearts of those who desire it and strive to live it. Therefore, for each and every one of us, for our Homeland and all people of good will, we ask: Almighty Eternal God, source and giver of peace; You rule heaven and earth, hear us and give graciously to our lives, our homeland and all who constitute it with your love and peace.
Warsaw, Krakowskie Przedmieście – 18th January 2022
Translation: A. Z. Warchoł / Office for Foreign Communication of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
