Bishops of Poland Issue 7 Key Insights from their Annual Meeting - Including Opposition to Abortion Bills, Importance of Religious Education for Young, and Abuse Commission Appointment

The 406th Plenary Meeting of the Polish Episcopal Conference, took place from 22 to 24 October 2026 in Zakopane.
The bishops participating in the Plenary Assembly sent a letter to Holy Father Leo XIV expressing their spiritual connection and support in connection with the operation he underwent in recent days.
The bishops listened to a report from the Vatican meeting of the presidents of the episcopal conferences, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the promulgation of the post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia . In connection with this anniversary, they recalled that "sacramental marriage and family are one of the paths to happiness and holiness." "They also remain the pillar and hope of the Church and society," they wrote in a press release. They also pointed out that "young people need support to courageously respond to the call to love and make the decision to enter into sacramental marriage." "Particular care should be given to young couples, families experiencing crisis, and people living in irregular unions, helping them grow in faith and discern their situation in light of the Gospel and the teaching of the Church," the press release reads.

The bishops oppose the changes passed by the Sejm (lower house of parliament) that weaken legal protection for the lives of unborn children. "The bishops appeal for respect for the life of every child, including the unborn, who is a legal subject, and for providing women in difficult life situations and their families with concrete, effective, and long-term assistance," the statement reads.

The bishops are concerned about reports of recent tragic events in Polish schools. In their statement, they emphasized that "reflection on the place of moral and religious values ​​in education is essential." "Religious education and ethics classes are an important space for shaping these values, as they have great potential for developing attitudes of respect, responsibility, and sensitivity to others," they wrote.

The Polish Bishops' Conference has approved an amended version of the statute of the Commission of Independent Experts to Investigate the Phenomenon of Sexual Abuse of Minors in the Catholic Church in Poland. "The statute will be submitted to competent state institutions for the purpose of obtaining legal personality under state law," the statement reads. Historian Prof. Dr. hab. Piotr Franaszek has been appointed chairman of the Commission. "This candidacy was previously consulted with competent bodies of higher male and female religious superiors," the statement reads.

The bishops also reviewed the progress of preparations for the 41st World Youth Day, which will be held in Seoul, South Korea, in August 2027, and received information about preparations for the Taizé European Youth Meeting, which will take place from December 28 to January 1, 2027, in Łódź.

From the first Sunday of Advent, the Church in Poland will begin implementing the pastoral program "The Parish as a Missionary Community." "It involves a deeper reflection on the conciliar vision of the Church as communion and a call to renew the communal life of Polish parishes," we read in a press release.

Full text of the announcement:

Communiqué from the 406th Plenary Meeting of the Polish Episcopal Conference

From October 22 to 24, 2026, the 406th Plenary Meeting of the Polish Episcopal Conference took place in Zakopane under the chairmanship of Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda SAC.

1. The bishops participating in the Plenary Assembly sent a letter to Pope Leo XIV expressing their spiritual communion and support in connection with the surgery he underwent recently. The bishops expressed their joy at the news that the surgery was successful. They assured the Pope of their spiritual support in all his endeavors. They also wished him good health, much strength, and the power of the Holy Spirit for many more years of service to the universal Church.

2. Referring to the meeting of the Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences convened by Leo XIV and held in the Vatican from October 7 to 14, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the promulgation of Pope Francis's post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia , the bishops recall that sacramental marriage and the family are one of the paths to happiness and holiness. They also remain the pillar and hope of the Church and society. The Church observes with realism and concern the changes in marital and family life and the difficulties faced by families. Therefore, accompaniment and comprehensive assistance that respond to their real needs are essential. Young people need support to courageously respond to the call to love and make the decision to enter into a sacramental marriage. Particular attention should be paid to young couples, families experiencing crisis, and people living in irregular unions, helping them grow in faith and discern their situation in the light of the Gospel and the teaching of the Church. The need for a pedagogy of the beauty of love was also highlighted, one that would demonstrate the value, joy, and goodness of marital and family life. The witness of spouses, living in fidelity and love despite daily challenges, should play an important role in this. The family is the most important place for transmitting faith. This aligns with this year's pastoral year theme, "Missionary Disciples," and next year's: "The Parish as a Missionary Community."

3. The bishops oppose the changes passed by the Sejm (lower house of Parliament) that weaken the legal protection of the life of unborn children. They reiterate that the dignity of every human being and their right to life require protection from conception to natural death. Caring for the lives of the vulnerable, especially unborn children, is a duty of conscience and an expression of the social responsibility of every person. Even if the solutions adopted by the Sejm were rejected at later stages of the legislative process, their very process contributes to shaping social acceptance of abortion as a morally neutral solution, which is untrue. The bishops appeal for respect for the life of every child, including the unborn, who is a subject of law, and for providing women in difficult life situations and their families with concrete, effective, and long-term assistance. The Church, for its part, has been offering such assistance for many years.

4. The bishops are concerned about reports of recent tragic events in Polish schools. They express their sympathy to the families, students, school staff, and teachers who have been affected by pain and suffering. They firmly oppose all forms of aggression and violence, emphasizing that schools should be safe places where every child develops in an atmosphere of respect and acceptance. The bishops emphasize that they are not indifferent to the concerns of young people. These tragic events prompt questions about the state of education in the family and at school, the impact of the modern digital world, young people's loneliness, their emotional difficulties, and peer relationships. The bishops have prepared a special message on this topic, emphasizing the need for a dialogue on education that transcends all divisions, involving families, schools, the Church, and all institutions responsible for the development and safety of the young generation. Reflection on the place of moral and religious values ​​in education is also essential. An important space for shaping these values ​​are religion and ethics lessons, which have great potential in developing attitudes of respect, responsibility and sensitivity towards others.

The 5th Polish Episcopal Conference approved the amended version of the statute of the Commission of Independent Experts to Investigate the Phenomenon of Sexual Abuse of Minors in the Catholic Church in Poland. The statute will be submitted to competent state institutions for the purpose of obtaining legal personality under state law. The distinguished historian, Professor Piotr Franaszek, PhD, hab., has been appointed chairman of the Commission. This candidacy was previously consulted with competent bodies of senior male and female religious superiors.

6. The bishops reviewed the progress of preparations for the 41st World Youth Day, which will take place in Seoul, South Korea, in August 2027. The meeting will be accompanied by the words: "Courage! I have overcome the world" (John 6:33). The bishops express their gratitude to the Polish group leaders, volunteers, consecrated persons, and over three hundred priests who have pledged spiritual care during the pilgrimage for the nearly seven thousand young Poles who have already registered. They also received information about preparations for the Taizé European Youth Meeting, which will take place from December 28 to January 1, 2027, in Łódź, trusting that it will be a great celebration of young people, experienced in the spirit of faith, peace, and ecumenical community.

7. From the first Sunday of Advent, the Church in Poland will begin implementing the pastoral program "The Parish: A Missionary Community." It involves a deeper reflection on the conciliar vision of the Church as communion and a call to renew the communal life of Polish parishes.

Praying at the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Krzeptówki, Zakopane, and at St. Jacek's Church in Chochołów, the bishops asked God, through the intercession of Mary, for the intentions of Pope Leo XIV, for the grace of peace in the world, harmony in our homeland, and respect for the sanctity of every unborn life. They also entrusted all matters of the Church in Poland to our Mother and bestowed a pastoral blessing on their compatriots at home and abroad.

Signed by the shepherds of the Catholic Church in Poland present at the 406th Plenary Meeting of the Polish Episcopal Conference.



Zakopane, October 24, 2026

Source - https://episkopat.pl/doc/254674.Komunikat-z-406-Zebrania-Plenarnego-Konferencji-Episkopatu