Poland's Catholic Bishops Urge Restraint and Call for Prayer as Constitutional Tribunal Crisis Deepens

Polish Bishops Call for Prayer as Constitutional Tribunal Crisis Deepens

Catholic bishops in Poland have called on the faithful to pray for the country, national unity and reconciliation amid an escalating dispute over the Constitutional Tribunal, which President Karol Nawrocki has described as a “forcible takeover” (or coup) of a constitutional institution.

The crisis intensified on October 30, when police were deployed around the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw and judges elected by the current parliamentary majority entered the building accompanied by officers of the State Protection Service. Tribunal President Bogdan Święczkowski and Vice-President Bartłomiej Sochański were suspended from their duties in a move whose legality is fiercely disputed.

President Nawrocki cut short a visit to Senegal and returned to Warsaw, later entering the Tribunal building during the night.

The Presidium of the Polish Bishops’ Conference said on October 31 that it was following the situation around the Tribunal “with great anxiety.”

The bishops warned that the prolonged conflict over Poland’s constitutional order was damaging national unity and risked deepening the crisis of the state. They also stressed that the Church was not seeking to decide which political side was responsible for the dispute.

Instead, the bishops appealed for de-escalation, dialogue and a peaceful solution. They asked Catholics to pray for Poland and for those entrusted with public responsibility, so that the common good would guide their decisions.

Bishop Marek Mendyk calls for respect for law and social peace

Bishop Marek Mendyk of Świdnica was among the Church leaders who responded directly to the crisis, issuing a particularly clear appeal for prayer, national unity and respect for the law.

Referring to the “difficult and dangerous social situation” surrounding the Constitutional Tribunal, Bishop Mendyk asked Catholics in his diocese to pray for their homeland.

He encouraged the faithful to seek the intercession of Poland’s saints and blesseds and to turn especially to the Virgin Mary, traditionally venerated in Poland as Queen of Poland.

“Let us pray for the unity of Poles, respect for law and social peace,” Bishop Mendyk said.

He also encouraged Catholics to pray the traditional Prayer for the Homeland attributed to the Jesuit preacher Father Piotr Skarga. The prayer asks God to bless Poland and grant wisdom to those exercising public authority.

Mendyk’s intervention was notable for linking the call for reconciliation with an explicit appeal to respect the legal order, one of the central issues in the current confrontation over the Tribunal.

Bishops across Poland urge restraint

Similar appeals were issued by bishops in other parts of the country.

Archbishop Adrian Galbas of Warsaw called for prayers for social peace and for prudence and humility among Poland’s political leaders. Bishop Romuald Kamiński of Warsaw-Praga ordered special prayers for peace, unity and reconciliation. Archbishop Andrzej Przybylski of Katowice appealed for prayer and penance and said political disputes should be resolved through law and dialogue rather than force.

Archbishop Wacław Depo of Częstochowa also ordered prayers for the homeland throughout November.

The bishops’ interventions come as Poland faces another major confrontation over the legal status and composition of the Constitutional Tribunal.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government says its actions are part of an effort to restore the rule of law after changes introduced under the previous Law and Justice government. President Nawrocki and opposition politicians reject that interpretation and argue that the latest moves amount to an unlawful seizure of control over a constitutional institution.

The Polish bishops have so far avoided taking sides in that political dispute. Their message has instead focused on prayer, social peace, national unity and respect for the law.

Bishop Mendyk’s appeal gave that message one of its clearest formulations: unity among Poles, respect for law and peace in public life.

Special to Catholic News World by - LOGOS MEDIA GROUP

Image of President Karol Nawrocki (left) By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54765502564/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=174392532

Image of Prime Minister Donald Tusk (right) By Gov.pl, CC BY 3.0 pl, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=178425155