Catholic Clergy Attitudes Towards Communist System in Katowice Voivodeship betweeen 1944 and 1956. An Outline of the Problem Cover Image

Postawy duchowieństwa katolickiego wobec systemu komunistycznego w województwie katowickim w latach 1944–1956. Zarys problemu
Catholic Clergy Attitudes Towards Communist System in Katowice Voivodeship betweeen 1944 and 1956. An Outline of the Problem

Author(s): Janusz Stefaniak
Subject(s): Theology and Religion
Published by: Księgarnia Świętego Jacka
Keywords: communism; clergy; politics; authority; Katowice Voivodeship

Summary/Abstract: From the very beginning of the change of the political system in 1944 members of the clergy were forced to show political loyalty and willingness to cooperate with the authorities. The undertaken research leads to a conclusion that the opinion promoted by contemporary propaganda presenting attitudes among the clergy as mostly positive does not seem to be so self-evident. In the Diocese of Katowice passive, hesitant and indifferent attitudes certainly dominated. Positive attitudes were rare (mainly “priests patriots”). In the communist system resignation from openly hostile attitudes could be interpreted as rising passive resistance. 1956 only partly restricted the repressive policy of the authorities towards the clergy.

  • Issue Year: 48/2015
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 405-424
  • Page Count: 20
  • Language: Polish