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“The baptism of the nation marked a radical breakthrough,” said the papal legate, Card. P. Parolin during the celebration of the 1050th Anniversary of the Baptism of Poland. The fate of our country is closely related to the process of Christianization in the area of the emerging state. It cannot be denied that the Church played a significant role in the history of Poland, which should be noted. In his last book, St. John Paul II ( Memory and Identity ).
Reflecting on the past of our country, it is impossible not to notice the influence of the clergy on the development of the state, such as the creation of centers of agriculture, crafts, culture, medicine, writing, or the flourishing of art. It was the representatives of the Church who made the solemn act of coronation of the newly elected king, participated in the congresses of the Seym, and the primate lost the function of interrex after the king’s death. The Church influenced the awakening of national identity among Poles, and in a difficult period for our country, it became a support and supported the depressed nation by providing both material and spiritual help.
In the context of the 1050th anniversary of this important event, which is the Baptism of Poland, which is celebrated this year, the importance of Christianity in the life of our country and in shaping the attitudes of its inhabitants is emphasized. In their statements, many foreign hierarchs emphasize our nation’s commitment to Christian values and encourage Poles to remain faithful to these roots. “Each generation is called to draw creatively from tradition and values, so that the received gift will bear fruit again in our era and in new circumstances” – indicated during the central ceremonies in Poznań the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Card. P. Parolin.
In the light of this jubilee, the public opinion still discusses the role of the Church in the state, and especially in the life of society. Many commentators focus, among others, on on the aspect of politicization of the Church and interdependencies between the Holy and Church authorities. I have the impression that in the name of the misunderstood separation of the state and the church one wants to discredit the latter’s participation in shaping our attitudes.
In one of the journalistic programs, the moderator, with strongly liberal views, referring to the current political situation in our country, noted that Poland was departing from the guidelines of John Paul II, who emphasized the role of the community in his teaching. The editor, reflecting on this problem, asked rhetorically: “Can we now say that the Church is building a community?” It should be remembered that the Church will always be a sign of opposition to those who do not respect the values of the Gospel and adhere to world trends (cf. Lk 12: 49-53). Although such views exert an increasing influence on the image of contemporary society also in our country. But first of all, one should consider: what kind of community was the author of the question referring to? And isn’t the reference to the achievements of John Paul II the result of one’s own projections and efforts to force through one’s visions?
It is alleged that the voice of the Church is no longer the voice of John Paul II. So what was the view of the Polish pope and does the opinion of this saint still matter to us? “ The postulate not to allow the dimension of sanctity to social and state life in any way is a postulate of atheizing the state and social life and has little to do with worldview neutrality, said John Paul II during his pilgrimage to Poland on June 3 1991
“At the same time, we, Catholics, please take into account our point of view: that many of us would feel uncomfortable in a state from which God would be thrown out, and this under the guise of worldview neutrality” (during the same speech) .
“The Church respects the legitimate autonomy of the democratic order and has no title to advocate one or another institutional or constitutional solution. The contribution he makes to this order consists in the understanding of the dignity of the person which is fully revealed in the mystery of the Incarnate Word “- Encyclical” Centesimus Annus “.
In turn, referring to the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, the Pope wrote: “In the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et spes we read: The political community and the Church are, each on its own territory, independent and autonomous . However, both the political community and the Church, albeit under different titles, serve the personal and social vocation of the same people. They will be able to perform this service for the benefit of all the more effectively, the better they maintain healthy cooperation with one another, also taking into account the circumstances of time and place. For man is not limited to the temporal order alone, but by living in human history integrally preserving his calling to eternal life (n. 76). Thus, the meaning given by the Council to the term separation of church and state is very far from what totalitarian systems have tried to give it. “(Memory and Identity).
At the same time, the Pope emphasizes that: “The world is a task and a challenge for the Church. It is for all Christians, especially for lay Catholics. The Council dealt strongly with the issue of the lay apostolate, that is, the active presence of Christians in social life ”(ibid.). In turn, half a century ago, the Primate of the Millennium asked: “As baptized people, have we already fully realized the Christian spirit in ourselves and in our nation?”
In view of the quoted statements, one should consider whether the attempts to discredit the role of the Church in public life seem right? This participation is also regulated by documents issued and ratified by secular authorities.
The history of our country has shown that the strong faith of Poles allowed them to go through the difficult experiences of history, therefore I think that also today this faith and common values will help to develop cooperation between people of different political views, because – as he stated in one of the of the homily, the present primate of Poland: “The fruiting power of a tree is contained in its roots. Cut off from them, it ceases to bear fruit and dies quickly on its own. ”
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