Communiqué from the 402nd Plenary Assembly of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

The 402nd Plenary Assembly of the Polish Bishops’ Conference was held in Gdańsk from 13 to 15 October 2025. The meeting was chaired by Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda SAC, President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference.

1. The Plenary Assembly took place in the Archdiocese of Gdańsk, which this year celebrates the 100th anniversary of its establishment by Pope Pius XI. The Archdiocese prepared for this event, among other things, by organising a pilgrimage of the relics of St. Adalbert, who arrived in Gdańsk in 997, where he baptised the first group of inhabitants of these lands. The central point of the jubilee celebrations was Holy Mass celebrated in the cathedral in Gdańsk-Oliwa, presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Poland, Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi.

2. Social life in Poland is increasingly marked by the presence and activity of foreigners. In this context, the bishops remind us of the need for a Christian attitude of hospitality towards newcomers, especially refugees and migrants, in accordance with the words of Jesus Christ: ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’ (Mt 25:35). With full respect for and support of the applicable security rules, their integration into the host society remains the most appropriate response to the Saviour's words. It should take place with full respect for the dignity of each person. The bishops appeal for good relations with Ukrainian war refugees to be maintained and for all manifestations of economic and instrumental exploitation of refugees and migrants for political purposes, particular interests and the stirring up of xenophobic sentiments in society to be firmly opposed. May hospitality and kindness be our testimony of love for our neighbour.

3. In the context of discussions on religious education in schools and parish catechesis, the bishops adopted a new ‘Core Curriculum for Roman Catholic Religious Education in Poland.’ It will be implemented along with new programmes and textbooks from 1 September 2027. The bishops also emphasised the need for parish catechesis to include not only children and young people, but also adults. Work on its concept will be completed in 2026 and will come into force together with the renewed national ‘Catechetical Directory’.

4. On the occasion of National Education Day, the bishops wish God's blessing on all teachers and educators. They also express their gratitude to Polish catechists for their fidelity to their vocation as teachers and their mission to proclaim the Gospel. This has been particularly difficult recently, as they have had to face problems resulting from unlawful and unjust changes in the organisation of religious education in schools made by the Ministry of National Education. These changes have also caused many teachers to lose their jobs.

5. The Polish Bishops’ Conference accepted the report on the completion of the work of the Team appointed on 12 June 2025 to develop documents concerning the functioning of a commission of independent experts to investigate the phenomenon of sexual abuse of minors by certain clergy. The bishops accepted the working version of the proposed documents and referred them for consultation with the conferences of the superiors of female and male religious congregations. These documents will also be the subject of further work by the Conference. Thus, another step has been taken towards the establishment of a commission of independent experts to investigate the phenomenon of sexual abuse of minors in the Catholic Church in Poland.

6. Responding to the Holy Father Leo XIV's encouragement to Poles to pray the Rosary in October for peace, the bishops ask that they remain faithful in doing so. They also appeal to all people of good will to courageously undertake and support possible actions that could contribute to the achievement of lasting peace in Ukraine, Gaza, the Holy Land, Sudan and other places in the world where wars are being fought and people are dying. The bishops also call for prayers for suffering and persecuted Christians.

7. 18 November 2025 will mark the 60th anniversary of the historic letter from Polish bishops to German bishops, which was a key step in the process of Polish-German reconciliation after the Second World War. In connection with this event, celebrations are planned in Wrocław, with the participation of representatives of the Polish and German Bishops' Conferences.

8. On the first Sunday of Advent, the Church in Poland will launch a new pastoral programme called ‘Disciples-Missionaries’. The aim of this programme will be to deepen the reflection of priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful on Christian formation as a condition for maturing in faith and sharing responsibility for the Church. The bishops encourage zealous engagement in ongoing formation in families, communities and parishes. Taking into account the suggestions of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops regarding the reception of the ‘Final Document’ of the Synod, it was decided that the theme of the pastoral programme for 2026/2027 will be the renewal of parishes in a synodal and missionary key.

9. Recently, there have been changes in the management boards of some entities subordinate to the Polish Bishops’ Conference. The bishops express their gratitude to editor Marcin Przeciszewski, who is leaving the Catholic Information Agency after 32 years, for his contribution to the creation and running of this media institution. Fr Stanisław Tasiemski OP has become the new president of the Agency. The bishops also thank Ms Marta Titaniec, who is stepping down after two terms as president of the Board of the Saint Joseph Foundation of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, for leading and shaping its activities since its inception. Ms Magdalena Bogdan has become the new president of the Foundation's Board.

Praying in Gdańsk Cathedral before the image of Our Lady of Oliwa, the bishops entrusted all matters of the Church and the homeland to God. They give their pastoral blessing to their compatriots at home and abroad.

Signed by the shepherds of the Catholic Church in Poland present at the 402nd Plenary Assembly of the Polish Bishops’ Conference.

Gdańsk, 15 October 2025