Bishops on the War in Ukraine and the Humanitarian Crisis (post-meeting communiqué)

During the plenary meeting, the bishops evaluated the aid activities undertaken by the Church, which are being conducted by Caritas Poland and diocesan Caritas structures, as well as by other Catholic organizations, parishes, and religious communities. “We are witnessing a huge mobilization of Poles, especially at the local level. There are many collections of funds to support the refugees coming to Poland, and gifts are collected to be sent to the war-stricken Ukraine. Many refugees have found shelter in Polish families, in diocesan and parish centers, in women’s and men’s religious communities,” the bishops concluded. “The bishops express great gratitude to all who have contributed this great good and spontaneous help,” they stressed in the communiqué.

At the same time, the bishops drew attention to the need to organize, long-term assistance—including welcome, protection, promotion, and integration—for those who choose to remain in our homeland. They pointed out that, in this, local governments and non-governmental organizations have a special role to play.

The bishops recalled that war is not a way to solve problems but is always a disaster in which innocent people are killed and human dignity is destroyed. Therefore, they called on “those responsible for the aggression against the Ukrainian state and people to stop hostilities as soon as possible and make efforts to conclude a just peace.”

The episcopate also expressed support for a letter that the PBC President, Archbishop Stanislaw Gądecki, sent to the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill. In it, he asked him to appeal to the Russian president to stop the war against the Ukrainian people.

During the plenary meeting, the bishops also discussed the progress made so far in the synodal process in Poland and encouraged all the faithful to become actively involved in the work of the synod.

On the occasion of the 9^th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis to the See of Peter, which fell on March 13^th, the bishops entrusted his apostolic ministry to God during a solemn Eucharist celebrated under the presidency of the Apostolic Nuncio in Poland, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, at the Temple of Divine Providence.

At the conclusion, the bishops called on all the faithful to pray and fast intensely for peace in Ukraine, as well as to continue offering possible material assistance to the refugees.

Press Office of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

We are publishing the full text of the communiqué:

Communiqué of the 391^st Plenary Assembly of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

On 14 and 15 March 2022, the 391^st Plenary Meeting of the Polish Bishops’ Conference was held in Warsaw, under the presidency of Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki.

1. The ongoing war in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis it has caused constituted the main topic. The aid activities undertaken by the Church were evaluated. These activities are conducted by Caritas Poland and diocesan Caritas structures, as well as by other Catholic organizations, parishes, and religious communities. We are witnessing a huge mobilization of Poles, especially at the local level. There are many collections of funds to support the refugees coming to Poland, and gifts are collected to be sent to the war-stricken Ukraine. Many refugees have found shelter in Polish families, in diocesan and parish centers, in women’s and men’s religious communities. The bishops express great gratitude to all who have contributed this great good and spontaneous help. They address special thanks to all the volunteers. At the same time, the need to organize, long-term assistance—including welcome, protection, promotion, and integration—for those who choose to remain in our homeland. They pointed out that, in this, State authorities, local governments and non-governmental organizations have a special role to play.
2. The bishops recalled that war is not a way to solve problems but is always a disaster in which innocent people are killed and human dignity is destroyed. They call on those responsible for the aggression against the Ukrainian state and people to stop hostilities as soon as possible and make efforts to conclude a just peace.
3. The Episcopate expressed support for the thoughtful word that the President of the Episcopate, Archbishop Stanislaw Gądecki, sent to the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill. In it, he asked him to appeal to the Russian president to stop the war against the Ukrainian people. At the same time, the bishops urge all believers around the world to fervently pray for peace in Ukraine.
4. The bishops discussed the synodal process in Poland accomplished so far, which is taking place face-to-face, through synodal group meetings, and on digital platforms. They continue to encourage all the faithful to actively engage in the work of the synod. They also recall that the synod is not a one-time task to be completed, but a process aimed at the renewal of the Church.
5. This past March 13^th marked the ninth anniversary of Pope Francis’ election to the See of Peter. The Episcopate entrusted his apostolic ministry to God during the solemn Eucharist celebrated in the Temple of Divine Providence under the presidency of the Apostolic Nuncio in Poland, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio. The bishops asked God to give the Pope health and strength as well as light to guide the Church on the road to salvation.

Calling on the faithful to pray and fast for peace in Ukraine and to give refugees as much material assistance as possible, the bishops commend to all compatriots at home and abroad the good Lord and give them their pastoral blessing.

Signed by the Pastors of the Catholic Church in Poland present at the 391^st Plenary Meeting of the Polish Bishops’ Conference.

Warsaw, 15 March 2022