The first session of the Synod on Synodality beginning in Rome at the end of September, the just concluded World Youth Day, and the upcoming beatification of the Ulma family are the principal questions addressed in the Communiqué from a Meeting of the Council of Diocesan Bishops of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, held at Jasna Góra on 25 August 2023.
This traditional session of diocesan bishops took place on the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Częstochowa. The session was presided over by Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference.
As for the first Roman session of the Synod on Synodality, to be held in October this year, the bishops familiarised themselves with the Instrumentum laboris, a working document drafted for the purpose of the debates. As the communiqué stresses, the document “is more of a description of the methodology adopted than a theological elaboration of the questions addressed.” The bishops added, that the Instrumentum laboris is to “help the participants hear during the synod the voices from different parts of the Church and discover among them those that are especially inspired by the Holy Spirit. This, in turn, will help to better respond to the pastoral challenges of the present time and to proclaim the Gospel more efficiently.”
The bishops stressed in the communiqué that the 37th World Youth Day was a unique catechesis and an experience of the communion of the Catholic Church. The bishops called on chaplains to recognise together with young people in their parishes and communities “how to continue this work in everyday life.” The bishops observed that “The first step to building a living and authentic Church may be to ‘shorten the distance’ between the young and the clergy. It is necessary to move away from a Church understood solely as an institution. It needs to be made into a space of encounter and prayer where we can hear one another.”
The bishops recalled that on September 10 this year we will witness a unique event: the entire family, Józef and Wiktoria Ulma and their seven children, will be elevated to the glory of the altars. Inviting the public to pray together during the ceremony, the bishops noted that Pope Francis’ decision to beatify the entire family confirms that “The decision of Pope Francis to beatify the entire family reaffirms that the Catholic Church always defends the truth about the sanctity of the family, which is the fundamental community of love, and the truth of human life, lasting from the moment of conception until natural death. The story of the Ulma Family is also a call to respect for all people, regardless of their origin.”
The bishops pointed out that in October we will celebrate the 45th anniversary of Cardinal Karol Wojtyła’s election to the See of Peter. One of the commemorations highlights will be the Eucharist celebrated in the Vatican Basilica on October 16. To mark the anniversary, the bishops encouraged a deeper reflection on this unique pontificate and the continued relevancy of St. John Paul II’s teachings.
As for the ongoing election campaign in Poland, the bishops urged “that it should be fair and that it should truly enable the agendas of the various candidates and groups to be known.” Referring to the Position of the Permanent Council of the Polish Bishops' Conference of May 2 this year, in the context of the upcoming elections, the bishops stressed the honourable aspect of political service. Once again, they called on politicians of all parties “to avoid the temptation of demagoguery and populism, ruthless discrediting of opponents or fuelling the existing deep divisions with unnecessary emotions” in the name of responsibility for the fate of our Homeland in their electoral competition. They also encouraged people to fulfil their civic duty in the spirit of responsibility for our Homeland.
Press Office of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
The full text of the communiqué follows:
COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE COUNCIL OF DIOCESAN BISHOPS OF THE POLISH BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE AFTER A MEETING IN JASNA GÓRA ON 25 AUGUST 2023
The Council of Diocesan Bishops, presided over by Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, met in Jasna Góra on 25 August 2023, on the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Częstochowa. The principal questions addressed by the bishops were the first session of the Synod on Synodality beginning in Rome at the end of September, the just concluded World Youth Day, and the upcoming beatification of the Ulma family.Council of Diocesan Bishops of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
Jasna Góra, 25 August 2023
Translated by M. Turski / Office for Foreign Communication of the Polish Bishops’ Conference