CHURCH, DESPITE NOT BELONGING TO ANY POLITICAL PARTIES, IS NOT ANTI-SOCIAL

FR. PAWEŁ RYTEL-ANDRIANIK, THE SPOKESMAN OF THE POLISH EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE

If it had not been for the baptism, there would not be the Polish country nor Poles, nor our great history or culture – these words, said by archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, the chairperson of the Polish Episcopal Conference, throw a light onto the hardly known aspect of the Baptism of Poland. It is more and more emphasized that the baptism in 966 had both religious and state-building significance.

Celebrating the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland was disrupted by communist authorities. A completely different atmosphere is accompanying the jubilee 1050 of the baptism anniversary. This is the fruit of a long way to freedom, on which the milestones were, among the others, a social movement Solidarity, events of 1989 and the defeat of communism. On this common way the Church respects elected authorities in the democratic elections. Church, despite not belonging to any political parties, is not anti-social. ‘We do not have political ambitions, as we have the bigger ones’. We want, just here, on the earth, in our hearts, in our families, in our communities or groups build God’s kingdom of love and solidarity, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace’ – said cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, the metropolitan of Cracow. So, Church is engaged socially and supports initiatives whose purpose is respecting the human dignity, care about families and help to the poor. Therefore, similarly as 1050 years ago, also today, we can speak about the liberating power of Christianity.

AA

„Niedziela” 5/2016

Editor: Tygodnik Katolicki "Niedziela", ul. 3 Maja 12, 42-200 Czestochowa, Polska
Editor-in-chief: Fr Jaroslaw Grabowski • E-mail: redakcja@niedziela.pl