Duchowieństwo i religia za rządów Rady Zastępczej Tymczasowej (19 kwietnia.28 maja 1794 roku)
Clergy and religion during the ruling of the Temporary Replacement Council (April 19.May 28 1794)

Summary/Abstract: A national raising against an interference in the Polish affairs of the neighbouring countries, especially Russia, broke out in Poland in 1794. After a liberation of Warsaw, on 19 April, the Temporary Replacement Council was created. The insurrectionist authorities counted on the influence of the clergy in the society. The clergy characterized by a high degree of social awareness was to be a model of citizen rights. A wide access the clergy had to the raising was to guarantee that the raising would not be accused of Jacobinism. The authorities engaged priests in the board of different committees, deputations, etc. Practically the whole raising propaganda was given into the hands of priests who were the editors of newspapers, and the authors of the response. A lower clergy supported the raising, engaging in it on many levels. Apart from individual cases of the betrayal of the insurrection, the riots of priests against the raising and cooperation with partitioners were not recorded. As a result of the events from 8 and 9 May, the bishops were hanged on the gallows, but not because of their actions against the raising or affiliation to the clergy state, but the betrayal in Targowica in 1793. In this case, they were treated as senators, not bishops of the Catholic church. The authorities paid attention to a religious scope of the raising. The weapon and banners were blessed, the messes for the killed were conducted, the propitiousness of the insurrection was prayed for. The attitude of the Church to the case of the raising was positive in general though one cannot speak of enthusiasm and mass support.

• Details
• Contents