Communiqué from the 393rd Plenary Session of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

The plenary meeting took place at the birthplace of St. Jack, patron saint of the Diocese of Opole, which was connected with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the diocese's creation.

The main topic of the Assembly was the ongoing Synod on synodality. The guest of honour was Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops. In his speech, he referred to the diocesan stage of the Synod and pointed out the main directions for further synodal work. He noted that synodality can effectively support the ministry of bishops in dioceses.

The bishops stressed the importance of synodality in the Church, pointing out “the need to discern what is of God's Spirit in the diocesan syntheses and the national synthesis,” the communiqué reads. “In particular, there is a need to practice synodality at the level of human relations: listening, dialogue, sincerity, and transparency.”

In view of the protracted war in Ukraine, the bishops noted that one can be tempted to "grow weary" of helping refugees and victims of the conflict. As we read in the communiqué, the bishops "therefore call for continued commitment for the sake of refugees in parishes and assistance in their social adaptation to Polish conditions. Once again, the shepherds remind us that there are no different categories of refugees and migrants, as they are all endowed with the same personal dignity and value in the eyes of God."

Referring to the ever-growing number of pilgrimages, the bishops noted that this increase obliges church pilgrimage organizers to adopt a professional approach. “The itinerary of pilgrimages must always guarantee a profound spiritual experience of faith, and the facilitation and simplification of their organization must never compromise the safety of pilgrims,” wrote the Polish bishops in their communiqué.

The bishops moreover encouraged young people to participate in World Youth Day in Lisbon and in meetings held in dioceses.

The bishop urged not to forget the poor in our parish communities. “We are reminded of this by the World Day of the Poor, celebrated on Sunday, November 13. Energy poverty is emerging as one of the forms of poverty; we should respond to it offering help as best we can,” reads the communiqué.

Press Office of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

The full text of the communiqué follows:

Communiqué
from the 393rd Plenary Session of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

The 393rd Plenary Session of the Polish Bishops’ Conference took place on October 11 and 12, 2022 in Kamień Śląski. The session was presided over by Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki.

1. The plenary meeting took place at the birthplace of St. Jack, patron saint of the Diocese of Opole, which was connected with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the diocese's creation. During the Holy Mass celebrated in the shrine on Góra Świętej Anny (Mount of Saint Anne), the bishops entrusted to God the future of the diocese and of the Church in Poland. They moreover prayed for world peace, especially for the conclusion of the war in Ukraine.

2. The main topic of the Assembly, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of commencing the Second Vatican Council, was the motto of the ongoing Synod: Towards a Synodal Church. The guest of honour was Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, who referred to the diocesan stage of the Synod. He furthermore pointed out the main directions for further synodal work and the attendant expectations. He stressed that synodality can effectively support the ministry of bishops in dioceses.

3. During the debate on the synodal process, the bishops emphasized the importance and significance of synodality in the Church. This applies to all levels of the life and work of the Church. The bishops pointed to the need to discern what is of God's Spirit in the diocesan syntheses and the national synthesis. They noted that where it was possible to engage the participants in the synodal process in genuine dialogue, cooperation flourished; this experience must be continued and transferred to existing synodal structures in the dioceses. In particular, there is a need to practice synodality at the level of human relations: listening, dialogue, sincerity, and transparency.

4. The bishops are greatly concerned with the ongoing situation in Ukraine. The war, which is now underway for eight months, has revealed the great generosity of our compatriots and their readiness to help, which so many have selflessly offered. The bishops express their gratitude to those who are joining in this assistance in various ways. During the Assembly, they listened to reports from Chairman of the Polish Bishops' Conference Charity Commission, Director of Caritas Poland and Chairman of the Council for Migration, Tourism and Pilgrimages on the current situation in the country and the assistance provided to Ukrainians. The bishops hope that assistance to refugees from Ukraine will be provided as long as it is needed.

5. In view of the protracted war in Ukraine, the bishops noted that one can be tempted to "grow weary" of helping refugees and victims of the conflict. The bishops therefore call for continued commitment for the sake of refugees in parishes and assistance in their social adaptation to Polish conditions. In cooperation with local governments, parishes can continue to be places of companionship for foreigners to facilitate the necessary process of their integration. This includes activities such as organizing Polish language instruction, assistance in finding jobs and housing, caring for families, children and students, as well as persons with disabilities and the elderly. Once again, the shepherds of the Church in Poland remind us that there are no different categories of refugees and migrants, as they are all endowed with the same personal dignity and value in the eyes of God.

6. The growing number of pilgrimages obliges church pilgrimage organizers to adopt a professional approach to their organisation, taking into account the law applicable to tourism and the uniqueness of a pilgrimage as such. The itinerary of pilgrimages must always guarantee a profound spiritual experience of faith, and the facilitation and simplification of their organization must never compromise the safety of pilgrims.

7. The bishops expressed their desire to accompany young people in the process of ongoing spiritual formation and encouraged them to participate in World Youth Day in Lisbon and in meetings held in dioceses.

8. We must not forget the poor in our parish communities. We are reminded of this by the World Day of the Poor, celebrated on Sunday, November 13. Energy poverty is emerging as one of the forms of poverty; we should respond to it offering help as best we can.

Through the intercession of Saint Anne, patron saint of the Diocese of Opole, the shepherds of the Church commend to God the difficult affairs of the Fatherland and the Church in the context of the approaching winter and the numerous crises caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine. They confer their apostolic blessing on all Compatriots at home and abroad.

Signed by pastors of the Catholic Church in Poland present at the 393rd Plenary Session of the Polish Bishops’ Conference.

Kamień Śląski, 12 October 2022

Translation from Polish original: M. Turski / Office for Foreign Communication of the Polish Bishops’ Conference