Religious denominations in Poland: Difference between revisions

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The constitution of Poland provides for freedom of religion, and the Polish government generally respects this right in practice.

The Polish Constitution and religion

Chapter 2, Article 53:
1. Freedom of faith and religion shall be ensured to everyone.
2. Freedom of religion shall include the freedom to profess or to accept a religion by personal choice as well as to manifest such religion, either individually or collectively, publicly or privately, by worshipping, praying, participating in ceremonies, performing of rites or teaching. Freedom of religion shall also include possession of sanctuaries and other places of worship for the satisfaction of the needs of believers as well as the right of individuals, wherever they may be, to benefit from religious services.
3. Parents shall have the right to ensure their children a moral and religious upbringing and teaching in accordance with their convictions. The provisions of Article 48, para. 1 shall apply as appropriate.
4. The religion of a church or other legally recognized religious organization may be taught in schools, but other peoples' freedom of religion and conscience shall not be infringed thereby.
5. The freedom to publicly express religion may be limited only by means of statute and only where this is necessary for the defence of State security, public order, health, morals or the freedoms and rights of others.
6. No one shall be compelled to participate or not participate in religious practices.
7. No one may be compelled by organs of public authority to disclose his philosophy of life, religious convictions or belief.

Chapter 2, Article 85
3. Any citizen whose religious convictions or moral principles do not allow him to perform military service may be obliged to perform substitute service in accordance with principles specified by statute.

Chapter 2, Article 35
2. National and ethnic minorities shall have the right to establish educational and cultural institutions, institutions designed to protect religious identity, as well as to participate in the resolution of matters connected with their cultural identity.

Denominations in Poland

A list of churches according to special legislation ===

Catholic Church in Poland

(Kościół Katolicki w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej)

Latin Rite (Obrządek Łaciński)
Byzantine-Slavonic Rite (Obrządek Bizantyjsko-Słowiański)
Armenian Rite (Obrządek Ormiański)
Byzantine-Ukrainian Rite (Obrządek Bizantyjsko-Ukraiński)

legislation:
Concordate between the Apostolic Seat and the Republic of Poland signed 28 July 1993 (Konkordat między Stolicą Apostolską i Rzeczpospolitą Polską podpisany w Warszawie dnia 28 lipca 1993 r. (Dz. U. Nr 51, poz. 318)
Act of State Relations to the Catholic Church Relations of 17 May 1989 (Ustawa z dnia 17 maja 1989r. o stosunku Państwa do Kościoła Katolickiego w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. (Dz. U. Nr 29, poz. 154)
leaders:
Józef Glemp, Prymas of Poland, Chairman of Polish Episcopate,
Jan Martyniuk, Archbishop Metropolite of Byzantine-Ukrainian Rite

Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church

(Polski Autokefaliczny Kościół Prawosławny) legislation: Act of State Relations to the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox ChurchState of 4 July 1991 (Ustawa z dnia 4 lipca 1991 r. o stosunku Państwa do Polskiego Autokefalicznego Prawosławnego Kościoła - Dz. U. Nr 66, poz. 287).

leaders: Abp Metropolita Warszawski i Całej Polski Sawa, Zwierzchnik Kościoła Przewodniczący Soboru Biskupów

Evangelic-Reformist Church in Poland

(Kościół Ewangelicko-Reformowany w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej

legislation: Ustawa z dnia 13 maja 1994 r. o stosunku Państwa do Kościoła Ewangelicko-Reformowanego w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (Dz. U. Nr 73, poz. 324). leaders: Prezes Konsystorza Dr Witold Brodziński

Evangelic-Augsurb Church in Poland

(Kościół Ewangelicko- Augsburski w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej)

legislation: Ustawa z dnia 13 maja 1994 r.o stosunku Państwa do Kościoła Ewangelicko-Augsburskiego w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (Dz. U. Nr 73, poz. 323).

leader: Biskup Kościoła ks. Janusz Jagucki, Prezes Konsystorza

Evangelic-Methodist Church in Poland

(Kościół Ewangelicko-Metodystyczny w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej)

law: Ustawa z dnia 30 czerwca 1995 r. o stosunku Państwa do Kościoła Ewangelicko-Metodystycznego (Dz. U. Nr 97, poz. 479). leader: Zwierzchnik Kościoła ks.bp Edward Puślecki

Old-Catholic Church of the Mariavites in Poland

(see: Mariavite Church)

(Starokatolicki Kościół Mariawitów w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej.)

law: Ustawa z dnia 20 lutego 1997r. o stosunku Państwa do Starokatolickiego Kościoła Mariawitów w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. (Dz. U. Nr 41, poz. 253). leader: Biskup Naczelny ks. Zdzisław M. Włodzimierz

Catholic Church of the Mariavites in Poland

(see: Mariavite Church)

(Kościół Katolicki Mariawitów w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej)

law: Ustawa z dnia 20 lutego 1997r. o stosunku Państwa do Kościoła Katolickiego Mariawitów w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. (DZ. U. Nr 41 poz. 252). leader: Abp Kościoła Józef Maria Rafael Wojciechowski, Przewodniczący Rady Przełożonych Kościoła

Eastern Old-Rites Church in Poland

(Wschodni Kościół Staroobrzędowy w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej nie posiadającego hierarchii duchownej)

law: Rozporządzenie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 28 marca 1928 r. o stosunku Państwa do Wschodniego Kościoła Staroobrzędowego nie posiadający hierarchii duchownej (Dz. U. Nr 38, poz. 363 z 1928 r.). leader: Przewodniczący Naczelnej Rady Wacław Jafiszow

Islamic Religious Union in Poland

(Muzułmański Związek Religijny w Rzeczypospolitej)

law: Polskiej Ustawa z dnia 21 kwietnia 1936 r. o stosunku Państwa do Muzułmańskiego Związku Religijnego w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. (Dz. U. Nr 30, poz. 240 z 1936r.). leader: Przewodniczący Najwyższego Kolegium Muzułmańskiego Stefan Korycki

Karaim Religious Union in Poland

(Karaimski Związek Religijny w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej)

law: Ustawa z dnia 21 kwietnia 1936 r. o stosunku Państwa do Karaimskiego Związku Religijnego w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. (Dz. U. Nr 30, poz. 241 z 1936 r.). leader: Przewodniczący Zarządu Związku prof. dr hab. Szymon Pilecki

Polish-Catholic Church in Poland

(Kościół Polskokatolicki w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej)

law: Ustawa z dnia 30 czerwca 1995 r. o stosunku Państwa do Kościoła Polskokatolickiego w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. (Dz. U. Nr 97, poz. 482).

leader: Biskup prof. dr hab.Wiktor Wysoczański, Zwierzchnik Kościoła, Przewodniczący Rady Synodalnej

Seventh Day Adventists Church in Poland

(Kościół Adwentystów Dnia Siódmego w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej)

law: Ustawa z dnia 30 czerwca 1995 r. o stosunku Państwa do Kościoła Adwentystów Dnia Siódmego w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. (Dz. U. Nr 97, poz. 481 ). leader: ks. Paweł Lazar, Przewodniczący Kościoła

Baptist Christians Church in Poland

(Kościół Chrześcijan Baptystów w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej)

law: Ustawa z dnia 30 czerwca 1995 r. o stosunku Państwa do Kościoła Chrześcijan Baptystów w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. (Dz. U. Nr 97, poz. 480).

leader: Prezbiter Kościoła Andrzej Seweryn, Przewodniczący Rady Kościoła

Union of Jewish Confessional Comunities in Poland

(Związek Gmin Wyznaniowych Żydowskich w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej)

law: Ustawa z dnia 20 lutego 1997 r. o stosunku Państwa do Gmin Wyznaniowych Żydowskich w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (Dz. U. Nr 41, poz. 251). leader: Przewodniczący Zarządu Jerzy Kichler

Pentecost Church in Poland

(Kościół Zielonoświątkowy w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej)

law: Ustawa z dnia 20 lutego 1997 r. o stosunku Państwa do Kościoła Zielonoświątkowego w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (Dz. U. Nr 41, poz. 254).

leader: Prezbiter Naczelny, Przewodniczący Naczelnej Rady Kościoła, Mieczysław Czajko

List of denominations registered in Poland

to be inserted

Relations between denominations

Relations between the various religious communities are generally amicable.

Threats to religious freedom

Anti-Semitism persists among certain sectors of the population, occasionally manifesting themselves in acts of vandalism and physical or verbal abuse. However, surveys in recent years show a continuing decline in anti-Semitic sentiment, and avowedly anti-Semitic candidates fare very poorly in elections. See History of the Jews in Poland.

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 == Threats to religious freedom ==
-[[Anti-Semitism]] persists among certain sectors of the population, occasionally manifesting themselves in acts of vandalism and physical or verbal abuse. However, surveys in recent years show a continuing decline in anti-Semitic sentiment, and avowedly anti-Semitic candidates fare very poorly in elections.
+[[Anti-Semitism]] persists among certain sectors of the population, occasionally manifesting themselves in acts of vandalism and physical or verbal abuse. However, surveys in recent years show a continuing decline in anti-Semitic sentiment, and avowedly anti-Semitic candidates fare very poorly in elections. ''See [[History of the Jews in Poland]].''
-In March 1998, a controversy arose over the [[Auschwitz cross]].
-Sporadic and isolated incidents of harassment and violence against Jews continue to occur in the country, often generated by skinheads and other marginal societal groups. Occasional cases of cemetery desecration, most often of Jewish cemeteries but also including Catholic shrines, also occurred during 1998 and the first half of 1999. Government authorities consistently criticized such actions and pledged to prevent similar acts in the future, for example by increased police patrols around Jewish sites.
-In January 1998, a rock was thrown through the window of the [[Jewish]] community headquarters in [[Katowice]], hitting the doors of an adjacent prayer room. Immediately following the incident, then National Police Chief [[Marek Papala]] instructed the Katowice provincial police chief to work with the Jewish community to tighten security around the property. Papala also sent a letter to the other province-level police commanders instructing them to make themselves available to discuss Jewish community security concerns. Local police continue to work with Jewish community leaders to resolve the case. In May 1998, vandals desecrated 27 Jewish graves in the [[Warsaw]] Jewish cemetery in two separate incidents. Police investigated the attacks but have been unable to identify any suspects.
-Jewish graves also were vandalized at the [[Palmiry]] cemetery near Warsaw, which houses the graves of victims of Nazi executions during [[World War II]]. The grave of pre-World War II Sejm speaker [[Maciej Rataj]]--a Polish [[Catholic]]--also was vandalized in that attack. Within days of the incident, both Prime Minister [[Jerzy Buzek]] and Sejm Speaker [[Maciej Plazynski]] visited the cemetery and laid flowers on the desecrated graves. In a public address, the Prime Minister criticized the act and stressed that society must do all it can to prevent similar acts in the future. He also pledged government funds to restore the vandalized graves. The vandals responsible for both incidents are still at large.
-In July 1998, unknown perpetrators vandalized a plaque commemorating [[Rzeszow]] Jews killed in the Holocaust. The vandals spray-painted anti-Semitic and anti-German slogans below the plaque, which hangs on the wall of a Rzeszow synagogue. Rzeszow city officials reacted swiftly and cleaned up the plaque upon discovery of the vandalism. Vandals in that area previously had targeted Catholic churches and cemeteries as well as a statue of a World War II hero. Police continue to search for those responsible. In October 1998, vandals attacked and damaged 56 gravestones in the Jewish cemetery in [[Krakow]]. On several weekends in 1998, groups of [[skinhead]]s gathered outside the [[Wroclaw]] synagogue for demonstrations, occasionally subjecting persons attending services to verbal abuse. Authorities moved to ensure the safety of the worshipers. The demonstrations ended shortly thereafter, and as of June 1999 none had taken place for several months.
-In January 1999, vandals damaged or destroyed 57 gravestones in the Jewish cemetery in Krakow. Vandals had attacked the same cemetery in October 1998. After the first incident police officers increased their patrols of the cemetery. Police promised additional, special protection after the second incident to prevent further attacks. In May 1999, the cemetery was vandalized again when unidentified perpetrators overturned 30 gravestones and set fire to the main door of the pre-burial house. However, the chairman of the local Jewish community called this an act of hooliganism, not anti-Semitism, since in the weeks preceding the attack vandals had smashed gravestones and otherwise damaged two nearby Catholic cemeteries. The chairman also noted the cooperation of the Krakow city police with the Jewish community to improve the security of the cemetery. In June the cemetery was attacked yet again when vandals painted crosses on several tombstones and on the pre-burial house. This incident appears to have been motivated by anti-Semitism, since members of the Jewish community received telephone calls linking the graffiti to the recent removal of crosses that were placed near the concentration camp at Auschwitz.
-In [[2001]] Polish-Jewish relations were complicated by a controversy that arose over revelations regarding the 1941 massacre of the Jewish population of the northeastern town of [[Jedwabne]]. The publication of a book that alleged that the killings were perpetrated by the town's ethnic Polish inhabitants, and not by the occupying Germans as stated in a monument at the site, led to considerable discussion of the Polish role during the Nazi occupation, of the extent of Jewish collaboration with the former Soviet Union, and of Polish-Jewish relations in general. The Government moved quickly to address the problem, removed the inaccurate monument, began an investigation of the Jedwabne events, and prepared to hold a ceremony of reconciliation on the 60th anniversary of the killings in July 2001
-Sporadic and isolated incidents of harassment and violence against Jews continue to occur in the country, often generated by skinheads and other marginal societal groups. Occasional cases of cemetery desecration, including both Jewish and, more frequently, Catholic shrines, also occurred in 2001. Government authorities consistently criticized such actions and pledged to prevent similar acts in the future, for example, by increased police patrols around Jewish sites.
-In September 2000, dignitaries from Poland, [[Israel]], the [[United States]], and other countries (including [[Prince Hassan of Jordan]]) gathered in Oswiecim (Auschwitz) to commemorate the opening of the refurbished ''[[Chevra Lomdei Mishnayot synagogue]]'' and the ''[[Auschwitz Jewish Center]]''. The synagogue, the sole synagogue in Oswiecim to survive World War II and an adjacent Jewish cultural and educational center, provide visitors a place to pray and to learn about the active pre-World War II Jewish community that existed in Oswiecim. The synagogue was the first communal property in the country to be returned to the Jewish community under the 1997 law allowing for restitution of Jewish communal property.
-In October 2000, extreme nationalist [[Kazimierz Switon]], who during the period 1998 to 1999 was responsible for the controversial raising of several hundred protest crosses at a gravel pit outside the former Auschwitz death camp, was acquitted of distributing leaflets alleging that some politicians were of Jewish origins and appealing for their removal from public life. The court ruled that the 1995 distribution of such leaflets did not incite ethnic strife.
-In November 2000, under the auspices of the ''[[No to Europe Association]]'' (an anti-European Union organization), some 400 nationalists marched through the streets of Katowice, chanting anti-Semitic slogans and burning Israeli flags. The protest organizer told police investigating the case that only some 30 percent of the rally's participants were members of his organization.
-In February 2001, 16 tombstones were desecrated in the Jewish cemetery in Wroclaw and, in April 2001, several tombstones were damaged in a Catholic cemetery in the town of Bartoszyce. In May 2001, the Jewish cemetery in Oswiecim was desecrated when 39 tombstones were knocked over by unidentified perpetrators. Later that month, a group of international and Polish students, who participated in the March of Remembrance and Hope, organized a clean up of the cemetery and restored the tombstones to their proper locations.
-In March and April of 2001, several functionaries in the presidential chancellery were identified as having participated as students in the government-sponsored anti-Semitic campaigns of 1968. One of those accused subsequently resigned.
-In April 2001, controversial Gdansk priest [[Henryk Jankowski]] created in his church a replica of the barn in Jedwabne in which members of that town's Jewish community were burned to death in 1941. A sign near the display accused Jews of having killed Christ and of persecuting Poles. The local archbishop ordered the tableau removed, and religious and political leaders strongly criticized its construction in the church.
-In April 2001, during the 13th [[March of the Living]] from [[Auschwitz]] to [[Birkenau]] to honor victims of the [[Holocaust]], several hundred citizens joined 2,000 marchers from Israel and other countries. Government officials participating in the march included Members of Parliament, the province's governor, and Oswiecim's mayor and city council chairman. Schoolchildren, boy scouts, the Polish-Israeli Friendship Society, and the Jewish Students Association in Poland also participated in the march. In May 2001, several hundred students from around the world marched through the town in ''The March of Remembrance and Hope''.
-During [[2002]] Polish-Jewish relations were complicated by a controversy that arose over revelations regarding the [[1941]] massacre of the Jewish population of the northeastern town of Jedwabne. The publication of a book, which alleged that the killings were perpetrated by the town's ethnic Polish inhabitants and not by the occupying Germans as stated in a monument at the site, led to considerable discussion of the Polish role during the Holocaust, of the extent of Jewish cooperation with Soviet occupation forces, and of Polish-Jewish relations in general. The Government moved quickly to address the problem, removed the inaccurate monument, began an investigation of the [[Jedwabne]] events, and held a ceremony of reconciliation on the 60th anniversary of the killings in July 2001. The [[National Remembrance Institute]] continued to investigate all circumstances surrounding the Jedwabne incident through April 2002.
-On March 1, 2002, the [[National Remembrance Institute]] (IPN), which was created to provide access to Communist-era secret police files and provide an accurate history of the Communist period, released its first annual report. During the debate, one Member of Parliament criticized the report for devoting too much time to the July 1941 killing of Jews in [[Jewabne]] and introduced a motion to reject the report; he made remarks that some observers interpreted as anti-Semitic. The case was referred to the ethics committee; however, there were no reports of an investigation at the end of the period covered by this report. A group of well-known politicians, scientists, clergymen, artists, and businesspersons signed an open letter of protest against the verbal attacks on the IPN Chairman.
-In April 2002, during the 14th [[March of the Living]] from Auschwitz to Birkenau to honor victims of the Holocaust, several hundred citizens joined 1,500 marchers from Israel and other countries.