Duchowny jako mediator
Clergyman as a mediator

Summary/Abstract: This paper aims to discuss the issues connected with the participation of clergymen as mediators in mediation proceedings. Mediation is a legal institution regulated by European and Polish law. Yet it has been known since the beginnings of civilisation, which can be observed in relations between God and people and between man and community. First, the paper presents the religious dimension of mediation and provides some examples of participation of clergymen in mediations throughout the centuries. Next, the objectives of mediation proceedings are discussed against the background of selected mediation models. It is argued that, on the one hand, in each mediation model the needs and interests of the parties are important, but equally crucial is the relationship between the parties, as well as the nature of the dispute, which determine the goals of the proceedings. On the other hand, mediation models do not constitute a universal matrix that can be mapped onto every single type of dispute. In practice, mediators use several mediation models when resolving one dispute in order achieve various goals of the parties, which requires multiple skills from mediators. In the author’s opinion, the fact that clergymen fulfil a number of different religious functions makes them especially qualified to act as mediators. In the last part of the paper, the legal requirements and unique competencies of clergymen serving as mediators are analysed, and the relevant conclusions are drawn.

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