Roman Catholicism in Poland
Encyclopedia
Ever since Poland
officially adopted Latin Christianity in 966
, the Catholic Church
has played an important religious, cultural and political role in the country.
For centuries, Poland has been a predominantly Catholic country, and for most Poles being Catholic is part of the Polish identity. It has historically been part of what separates Polish culture from neighboring Germany, especially eastern and northern Germany, which is mostly Lutheran
, and the countries to the east which are Orthodox. During the times of foreign oppression, the Catholic Church remained for many Poles a cultural guard in the fight for independence and national survival. For instance, the Polish abbey in Częstochowa
, which successfully resisted a siege in the Swedish invasion of Poland in the 17th century, became a symbol of national resistance to occupation. The establishment of a communist regime controlled by the Soviet Union
following World War II
allowed the church to continue fulfilling this role. The 1978 election of Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyła as Pope John Paul II
strengthened this it even further, and the Polish Pope's numerous visits to his mother country became rallying points for both the faithful and for opposition to the Soviet regime. His beatification in 2011 was a moment of pride and joy for the Polish Church.
gives a number of 89.8% belonging to the Roman Catholic Church and about 75% as practicing Catholics. The rates of religious observance are steadily decreasing, although Poland still remains one of the most devoutly religious countries in Europe. Polish Catholics participate in the sacraments more frequently than their counterparts in most Western European and North American countries. For example, a 2009 study performed by the Church itself revealed that 80% of Poles go to confession at least once a year, with 60% doing so more often than once a year. By contrast, a 2005 study by Georgetown University's
Center for Applied Research on the Apostolate revealed that only 14% of American Catholics
take part in the sacrament of penance once a year, with a mere 2% doing so more frequently. Tarnów
is the most religious city in Poland, and Łódź is the least. Generally, the southern and eastern parts of Poland are more religious than those of the West and North. Nonetheless, the overwhelming majority of Poles continue to declare themselves Roman Catholic
. This is in stark contrast to the otherwise similar neighbouring Czech Republic
, which is one of the least religious areas on Earth, with only 19% declaring "they believe there is a God" of any kind.
Latin
names of dioceses in italics.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
officially adopted Latin Christianity in 966
Baptism of Poland
The Baptism of Poland was the event in 966 that signified the beginning of the Christianization of Poland, commencing with the baptism of Mieszko I, who was the first ruler of the Polish state. The next significant step in Poland's adoption of Christianity was the establishment of various...
, the Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
has played an important religious, cultural and political role in the country.
For centuries, Poland has been a predominantly Catholic country, and for most Poles being Catholic is part of the Polish identity. It has historically been part of what separates Polish culture from neighboring Germany, especially eastern and northern Germany, which is mostly Lutheran
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
, and the countries to the east which are Orthodox. During the times of foreign oppression, the Catholic Church remained for many Poles a cultural guard in the fight for independence and national survival. For instance, the Polish abbey in Częstochowa
Czestochowa
Częstochowa is a city in south Poland on the Warta River with 240,027 inhabitants . It has been situated in the Silesian Voivodeship since 1999, and was previously the capital of Częstochowa Voivodeship...
, which successfully resisted a siege in the Swedish invasion of Poland in the 17th century, became a symbol of national resistance to occupation. The establishment of a communist regime controlled by the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
allowed the church to continue fulfilling this role. The 1978 election of Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyła as Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
strengthened this it even further, and the Polish Pope's numerous visits to his mother country became rallying points for both the faithful and for opposition to the Soviet regime. His beatification in 2011 was a moment of pride and joy for the Polish Church.
Number of Catholics in Poland
Currently most Poles, by far, adhere to the Christian faith, with approximately 88% belonging to the Roman Catholic Church and 58% practicing, according to survey by the Centre for Public Opinion Research. According to the Ministry of Foreigns Affairs of the Republic of Poland, 95% of Poles belong to the Roman Catholic Church; however, this is based on number of people baptized in their infancy, provided by the Church itself. CIA FactbookThe World Factbook
The World Factbook is a reference resource produced by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States with almanac-style information about the countries of the world. The official paper copy version is available from the National Technical Information Service and the Government Printing Office...
gives a number of 89.8% belonging to the Roman Catholic Church and about 75% as practicing Catholics. The rates of religious observance are steadily decreasing, although Poland still remains one of the most devoutly religious countries in Europe. Polish Catholics participate in the sacraments more frequently than their counterparts in most Western European and North American countries. For example, a 2009 study performed by the Church itself revealed that 80% of Poles go to confession at least once a year, with 60% doing so more often than once a year. By contrast, a 2005 study by Georgetown University's
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
Center for Applied Research on the Apostolate revealed that only 14% of American Catholics
Roman Catholicism in the United States
The Catholic Church in the United States is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope. With more than 68.5 registered million members, it is the largest single religious denomination in the United States, comprising about 22 percent of the population...
take part in the sacrament of penance once a year, with a mere 2% doing so more frequently. Tarnów
Tarnów
Tarnów is a city in southeastern Poland with 115,341 inhabitants as of June 2009. The city has been situated in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship since 1999, but from 1975 to 1998 it was the capital of the Tarnów Voivodeship. It is a major rail junction, located on the strategic east-west connection...
is the most religious city in Poland, and Łódź is the least. Generally, the southern and eastern parts of Poland are more religious than those of the West and North. Nonetheless, the overwhelming majority of Poles continue to declare themselves Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. This is in stark contrast to the otherwise similar neighbouring Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, which is one of the least religious areas on Earth, with only 19% declaring "they believe there is a God" of any kind.
Hierarchy
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Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
names of dioceses in italics.
- Białystok, Bialostocensis (1)
- Drohiczyn, Drohiczinensis (2)
- Łomża, Lomzensis (3)
- Cracow, Cracoviensis (4)
- Bielsko–Żywiec, Bielscensis-Zyviecensis (5)
- Kielce, Kielcensis (6)
- Tarnów, Tarnoviensis (7)
- Częstochowa, Czestochoviensis (8)
- Gdańsk, Gedanensis (11)
- Gniezno, Gnesnensis (14)
- Bydgoszcz, Bydgostiensis (15)
- Włocławek, Vladislaviensis (16)
- Katowice, Katovicensis (17)
- Łódź, Lodziensis (20)
- Łowicz, Lovicensis (21)
- Lublin, Lublinensis (22)
- Sandomierz, Sandomiriensis (23)
- Siedlce, Siedlecensis (24)
- Poznań, Posnaniensis (25)
- Kalisz, Calissiensis (26)
- PrzemyślRoman Catholic Archdiocese of PrzemyslThe Archdiocese of Przemyśl is an archdiocese located in the city of Przemyśl in Poland.-History:* April 13, 1375: Established as Diocese of Przemyśl* March 25, 1992: Promoted as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Przemyśl-Special churches:*Minor Basilicas:...
, Premisliensis (27)- Rzeszów, Rzeszoviensis (28)
- Zamość-Lubaczów, Zamosciensis-Lubaczoviensis (29)
- Szczecin-Kamień, Sedinensis-Caminensis (30)
- Koszalin-Kołobrzeg, Coslinensis-Colubreganus (31)
- Zielona Góra-Gorzów Wielkopolski, Viridimontanensis-Gorzoviensis (32)
- WarmiaRoman Catholic Archdiocese of WarmiaThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Warmia is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in present Poland.The Archdiocese contains a population of around 700,000...
(OlsztynOlsztynOlsztyn is a city in northeastern Poland, on the Łyna River. Olsztyn has been the capital of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship since 1999. It was previously in the Olsztyn Voivodeship...
), Varmiensis (33)- Elbląg, Elbingensis (34)
- Ełk, Liccanensis (35)
- WarsawRoman Catholic Archdiocese of WarsawThe Archdiocese of Warsaw is a Catholic ecclesiastical territory or diocese in Poland encompassing the Polish capital. It was erected on October 16, 1798.It was elevated to an Archdiocese on June 30, 1813....
, Varsaviensis (36)- Płock, Plocensis (37)
- Warsaw-Praga, Varsaviensis-Pragensis (38)
- Wrocław, Vratislaviensis (39)
Exteritorial units
- Military Ordinariate of Polish Army
- The Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei
See also
- Religious denominations in Poland
- Religion in PolandReligion in PolandMost residents of Poland adhere to the Christian faith, with 89.8% belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. Catholicism plays an important role in the lives of many Poles and the Roman Catholic Church in Poland enjoys social prestige and political influence. The Church is widely respected by its...
- Ukrainian Greek Catholic ChurchUkrainian Greek Catholic ChurchThe Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church , Ukrainska Hreko-Katolytska Tserkva), is the largest Eastern Rite Catholic sui juris particular church in full communion with the Holy See, and is directly subject to the Pope...
- List of Roman Catholic dioceses in Poland
- List of Polish cardinals
- Reorganization of occupied dioceses during World War IIReorganization of occupied dioceses during World War IIThe reorganization of occupied dioceses during World War II was an issue faced by Pope Pius XII of whether to extend the apostolic authority of Catholic bishops from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy to German-occupied Europe during World War II....