Appeal of the Permanent Council of the Polish Bishops on Polish-Ukrainian Reconciliation

https://episkopat.pl/doc/251800.Apel-Rady-Stalej-Biskupow-w-sprawie-pojednania-polsko

We publish the full text of the Appeal:

Appeal of the Permanent Council of the Polish Bishops on Polish-Ukrainian Reconciliation

Recently, the media have reported cases of growing aggression between Ukrainians and Poles. All such incidents, regardless of whether they are motivated by national, hooligan, or criminal factors, are worthy of condemnation.

When a full-scale war broke out on Ukrainian territory in February 2022, and hundreds of thousands of refugees from Ukraine crossed the Polish border, the attitude of our fellow citizens aroused admiration and respect around the world. We generously opened our homes and apartments to them, while dozens of aid organizations and thousands of people of goodwill across the country offered generous assistance to those fleeing the war, helping them either transit to other countries or settle temporarily in Poland. Food, medical, financial, legal, pastoral, psychological, and educational assistance was organized for refugees. From the very beginning of the war, Christian Churches, their clergy, consecrated persons and lay faithful, Caritas Poland, diocesan Caritas organizations, and hundreds of other aid organizations, parishes, Catholic movements, and associations were on the front line of these efforts. We have never ceased or reduced this service to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, as well as to refugees from that country in Poland, supporting state and local authorities in these efforts. As a Church, we have always stood on the side of those most severely affected: the families of war victims, those who suffer, and those who often have nowhere left to return to.

The incidents mentioned above stand in stark contrast to the efforts undertaken by the Church for more than four years. The Polish Bishops’ Conference has repeatedly appealed for solidarity with those in need in Ukraine and for reconciliation between our nations, both of which have been affected by painful wounds of history. We firmly believe that these wounds can heal, and that mutual respect and reconciliation can prevail over them.

We appeal to believers and non-believers alike, and to all people of goodwill in Poland, to seek above all a spirit of reconciliation and Christian love in Polish-Ukrainian relations. We appeal for an honest historical dialogue so that the dark chapters of our shared history may be fully clarified. We also appeal to everyone not to fuel nationalistic sentiments directed against anyone. We further appeal to the state authorities to take more effective measures to prevent incidents motivated by national animosity, while ensuring that the law is respected by everyone residing in our country.

Częstochowa, 26 August 2026