The Beatification of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński and Mother Elżbieta Rosa Czacka, a document on priestly formation, pastoral care in the Church after the pandemic, the visit “ad limina Apostolorum”: These were the main topics at the 389th Plenary Assembly of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, held on 11 and 12 June in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.

On the first day of the meeting, which fell on the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the bishops renewed the Act of Consecration of the Polish nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the 100th anniversary of that event.

In face of the improving pandemic situation in the country, the bishops welcomed the government’s decision to modify the sanitary restrictions in churches and places of worship, and unanimously decided to abolish dispensations from attending Mass on Sundays and prescribed feasts. These dispensations will be abolished simultaneously in all dioceses as of June 20 of this year.

During the meeting, the bishops familiarized themselves with the study document of the Commission for Pastoral Care of the Polish Bishops’ Conference Pastoral Challenges of the Church. The document presents an analysis of selected pastoral actions taken during the pandemic and indicates the challenges facing those responsible for pastoral care.

During the plenary meeting, the bishops reviewed the state of the preparations for the beatification of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński and Mother Elżbieta Rosa Czacka. The joint beatification, to be celebrated on September 12th of this year, at noon, in the Temple of Divine Providence in Warsaw-Wilanow, will be presided over by the Papal legate, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. “The ceremony will be dignified and modest, in keeping with the possibilities of a declining pandemic,” says the Communiqué.

During the session, a calendar for the “ad limina Apostolorum” visit, planned for next October, was also presented. “The visit will be a time to renew ties with the Holy Father, to pray together, to exchange ideas, to discern and define the priorities in the life and mission of the Church in Poland for the coming years,” the bishops wrote.

In addition, the bishops received the approbation from the Congregation for the Clergy, in collaboration with the Congregation for Catholic Education, for the new principles of priestly formation in Poland, presented in the document “The Path of Priestly Formation in Poland. Ratio institutionis sacerdotalis pro Polonia.” They will go into effect on 1 October 2021.

In closing, the bishops thanked all teachers, educators, and catechists for the efforts they made to teach and educate throughout this school year marked by the pandemic. “Thanks to the dedication of this professional group, teaching was never interrupted, and along with the knowledge imparted, the students received spiritual support,” says the Communiqué.

After the proceedings, the bishops gave a pastoral blessing to Poles at home and abroad.

Press Office of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

We are publishing the full text of the Communiqué:

Communiqué of the 389th Plenary Assembly of the Polish Bishops’ Conference

The 389th Plenary Assembly of the Polish Bishops’ Conference was held in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska on 11 and 12 June 2021, under the presidency of Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki.

  1. On the first day of the meeting, which coincided with the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the bishops went on a pilgrimage to Krakow. There, during the Eucharist celebrated in the Basilica of the Jesuits, they renewed, after 100 years, the Act of Consecration of the Polish nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This unique event reminds us that the heart of the Church is God’s unlimited love for man.
  2. In face of the improving pandemic situation in the country, the bishops welcomed the government’s decision to modify the sanitary restrictions in churches and places of worship, and unanimously decided to abolish dispensations from attending Mass on Sundays and prescribed feasts. These dispensations will be abolished simultaneously in all dioceses as of June 20 of this year. The bishops express their deepest sympathy to those affected by the pandemic. They extend their thanks to all those involved in helping those in need, and especially to the health care workers for their dedicated service to the sick and suffering. They call on all the faithful to show sensitivity and solidarity, as well as simple human kindness towards those in need. They ask all priests and pastoral workers to generously devote their time during the upcoming summer vacations to families, children, and youth, allowing them to experience the closeness of God, the joy of the Gospel, and the care of the Church.
  3. The bishops familiarized themselves with the study document of the Commission for Pastoral Care of the Polish Bishops’ Conference Pastoral Challenges of the Church. This document presents an analysis of selected pastoral actions taken during the pandemic and indicates the challenges facing those responsible for the form of pastoral care. The document points out, among other things, the need to awaken a living faith in the hearts of the faithful, as well as for the development of a more personal pastoral ministry, the formation of the parish as a family of families and a community of communities, and an open attitude of dialogue with the world.
  4. The bishops reviewed the state of the preparations for the beatification of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński and Mother Elżbieta Rosa Czacka. The joint beatification, to be celebrated on September 12th of this year, at noon, in the Temple of Divine Providence in Warsaw-Wilanow, will be presided over by the Papal legate, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The ceremony will be dignified and modest, in keeping with the possibilities of a declining pandemic.
  5. During their deliberations, the bishops reviewed the calendar of the “ad limina Apostolorum” visit planned for October. In addition to meetings in the different Dicasteries and an audience with Holy Father Francis, the bishops will celebrate the Eucharist in the four Major Basilicas of Rome. The visit will be a time to renew ties with the Holy Father, pray together, exchange ideas, discern and define priorities for the life and mission of the Church in Poland for the coming years.
  6. The bishops received the approbation from the Congregation for the Clergy, in collaboration with the Congregation for Catholic Education, for the new principles of priestly formation in Poland, presented in the document “The Path of Priestly Formation in Poland. Ratio institutionis sacerdotalis pro Polonia.” They will go into effect on 1 October 2021. The document is a response to the latest guidelines of the Congregation, the needs of those who are called, and takes into account the current situation of the Church in Poland.
  7. The bishops thank all the teachers, educators, and catechists for their efforts in teaching and educating during the past school year. It was particularly difficult because of the pandemic. Thanks to the dedication of this professional group, teaching was never interrupted, and along with the knowledge imparted, the students received spiritual support. May the upcoming vacation time, therefore, be for both teachers and students, a time of rest marked by God’s blessing.

In the spirit of the Act of Consecration of Poland to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, during the remaining days of June, let us especially entrust to the Heart of Jesus our families, Homeland, and the work of renewal of the Church in Poland. Commending all our Compatriots to the special intercession of Our Lady of Kalwaria, the bishops impart their pastoral blessing to the Poles at home and abroad.

Signed by the pastors of the Catholic Church in Poland present at the 389th Plenary Assembly of the Polish Bishops’ Conference.

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, 12 June 2021.

Translation: P. Nau / Office for Foreign Communication of the Polish Bishops’ Conference.

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