Zagadnienie Kościoła katolickiego podczas spotkań roboczych organów wyznaniowych Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej i Niemieckiej Republiki Demokratycznej
The Issue of the Catholic Church During Working Meetings of the Denominational Bodies for Religious Matters of the People’s Republic of Poland and the German Democratic Republic

Summary/Abstract: In conducting policy towards the Catholic Church in the GDR and the People’s Republic of Poland, working meetings of the Denominational Bodies for Religious Matters (SSdsk and UdsW) carried considerable weight. They facilitated a realistic assessment of the current situation and helped to determine further tasks. They provided an opportunity for the parties to become well acquainted with the current denominational issues. The exchange of information at these meetings contributed to a better understanding of the differences in church policy in both socialist countries. The authorities relied on Marxist-Leninist analysis of the situation and political guidelines of their respective parties (PZPR in Poland, SED in GDR) as a basis for cooperation between the religious authorities in the PRL and GDR. The coordination and cooperation enabled them to make more effective use of the concepts and improve the methods of their various policies towards the Catholic Church. Periodic evaluations of the results of the denominational policy towards the Catholic Church were carried out. At these meetings, the relationship between the state authorities and the bishops in both countries were analysed. Attitudes towards the Holy See were also discussed, and views and information on new aspects of Vatican policy towards the socialist countries were exchanged. The issue of the involvement of lay Catholics as well as the clergy and hierarchy in supporting the policy of the socialist countries under the guise of “fighting for peace” within the framework of the Berlin Catholic Conference was discussed. The ways of activating Catholic organisations of Socialist and Western countries within its framework under the banner of the struggle for the strengthening of world peace were also discussed.

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