Members of the Presidium of the Polish Episcopal Conference issued an official statement in which they expressed deep concern about the events taking place around the Constitutional Tribunal. The hierarchs pointed out that the prolonged dispute over the constitutional basis for the functioning of the state is not conducive to building national unity.
"The long-standing dispute over the constitutional basis for the functioning of the Republic of Poland does not serve to build national unity and reconciliation, and its escalation leads to a deep crisis of the state," said the bishops.
The statement emphasized that the Church does not intend to resolve the causes of the conflict or identify those responsible. However, for the sake of the common good and social peace, the bishops appealed to refrain from further escalation of the dispute and to engage in a constructive dialogue.
An appeal for prayer and support for national reconciliation
The hierarchs asked "all people of good will" who have the good of the country at heart to support all efforts towards national understanding and reconciliation. They made a special appeal to the faithful to pray for Poland.
"Let us pray for light and wisdom for those in power and all those responsible for public life, so that caring for the good of the inhabitants of our country and the common good is their most important duty," wrote members of the Presidium of the Polish Episcopate.
Jasna Góra with a summons
The Pauline monastery at Jasna Góra also reminded us of the constant prayer for the homeland, which resounds every day in the heart of the spiritual capital of Poland. On Saturday, however, these prayers took on special significance.
"Jasna Góra has been a place where Poles have been looking for reconciliation for centuries. That is why today, with particular care, we entrust the fate of the country, state order and public dialogue to the care of Our Lady of Jasna Góra, asking that the common good of the nation transcends all divisions," wrote Father Marcin Ciechanowski, director of the Jasna Góra press office.
Every day at 3:30 p.m., a mass for the homeland is celebrated in the Chapel of Our Lady - this tradition dates back to the times of martial law. In the evening, at 9 p.m., the Jasna Góra Appeal takes place, during which the faithful entrust Poland and the Church to the care of Our Lady. On Saturday, as Father Ciechanowski emphasized, "this special supplication will resound with intensified strength in the heart of the Sanctuary, in front of the Miraculous Image of Our Lady."
The Pauline monastery encourages all the faithful to join the national prayer - both through personal presence at the Sanctuary and through media broadcasts.
"Prayer remains our most important foundation in building a homeland based on mutual respect and justice. In the era of many challenges facing our homeland and society, community prayer before the throne of the Queen of Poland remains our most important spiritual foundation," Father Ciechanowski emphasized.
Behind the scenes of the crisis around the Constitutional Tribunal
The crisis surrounding the Constitutional Tribunal escalated after the announcement of a break in the activities of the President of the Constitutional Tribunal, Bogdan Święczkowski, and the Vice-President, Bartłomiej Sochański. Judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska, elected by the current Sejm, was considered the person in charge of the Tribunal's work. Tensions and demonstrations broke out in front of the Tribunal's headquarters, and the police arrived on site.
On the night from Friday to Saturday, President Karol Nawrocki interrupted his flight to Senegal and arrived at the Tribunal's headquarters. Recordings appeared in the media documenting his entry into the building and the dispute between the president's representatives and people elected by the current Sejm as judges of the Constitutional Tribunal. The parties present different versions of events regarding the course of the incident.
After leaving the Tribunal building, the president announced the calling of urgent consultations with the participation of parliamentary forces, arguing that the constitutional order had been violated.
