Poland
Will the Pope prevail in Poland
Warsaw, Poland May 30, 2006 Pope Benedict's long-awaited visit to Poland has now been completed. Prior to his visit the fact that he was coming to Poland had a great deal of play in Polish politics. Now that the visit has been completed, and he has commented on the church in politics in Poland, will the members of the Church in Poland and the Polish government heed his word. Will his desires prevail over those of the Polish government and a good portion of the Polish Catholic Church hierarchy?
Benedict has said on this trip to Poland: "The priest’s work is to know humanity and God, not politics" – making it clear that the close involvement between Radio Maryja and the current Polish government must end. Pope Benedict also made the comment that the "aggressive pose of attacking behavior of previous generations must stop", or words to that effect. See http://beatroot.blogspot.com/2006/05/pope-and-radio-maryja.html
Thaese admonitions are contrary to the facts on the ground in Poland.
The Polish Catholic Church, most notably through the efforts of the millionaire Roman Catholic priest Tadeusz Rydzyk and his radio station Radio Maria, were instrumental in the current government taking the leading position in the elections of 2005. There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding Radio Maria since it has continued to promote the ruling Polish political party Law and Justice. The radio station has seen a constant line of government officials coming to the radio station to be able to broadcast their views on that radio station.
Prior to the pope's visit the Vatican issued a letter of warning to the bishops of Poland and to Radio Maria concerning the radio station's involvement in Polish politics. The letter seemed to have no effect. But now that the Pope has been in Poland and has added his words behind the letter, will the radio station complying with what the Pope says?
But it is not only the church and the radio station that are involving the church in politics. The Law and Justice Party are dragging the church into politics. It almost seems that the Law and Justice Party sees the church as a convenient mechanism to promote its policies. So it would seem that the Law and Justice Party will have to make a decision as to whether it will comply with what the Pope desires. Will Law and Justice Party go against the will of the Pope and continue to use the good offices of the church?
And as for the Pope ' s comments about not dwelling on the past, it seems that if the Polish government were to heed these words a lot of what the Polish government is now involved in would have to be shelved. The current Polish government has been spending an inordinate amount of time chasing the communists of the past. The government seems to be looking backwards instead of forward. If they continue down that path they will be going against the will of the Pope.
For a government run by the Law and Justice Party and the President of Poland, who is a member of that party, who think that Poland requires a moral revolution it would seem that they should be the first to adhere to the will of the Pope.
There's no doubt that the Pope has charged his staff in Poland to carry out his policies. It will take time for a bureaucracy as large as the Polish church is to make changes. But will the church bureaucracy delay in order to out last the 79 year-old Pope.
And will the Polish government be able to reign in those whose life's purpose seems to be finding old Communists and punishing them?
Will the Pope prevail?
