The Church reacts to the Sejm's decision on abortion

A press conference was held in Zakopane on Saturday summarizing the 406th Plenary Meeting of the Polish Episcopal Conference.

"Bishops appeal for respect for the life of every child"

The Chairman of the Polish Episcopate, Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, commented on Tuesday's vote in the Sejm on changes to the regulations on termination of pregnancy. Let us remind you that the MPs decided to restore the grounds for abortion in the case of a severe fetal defect, and also adopted an amendment to the Penal Code, which provides for partial decriminalization of abortion with the woman's consent and assistance in abortion in the case of a severe fetal defect.

Archbishop Wojda assessed that the parliament's decision may negatively affect the social perception of the value of life and undermine the tradition of defending life in Poland.

The bishops, expressing their opposition to such a policy that does not build but destroys, appeal for respect for the life of every child, especially the unborn, he said.

Every human being has dignity and the right to life and protection from the moment of conception until natural death. Caring for life, especially defenseless unborn children, is a duty of conscience, added Archbishop Wojda.

The Chairman of the Polish Episcopal Conference also emphasized the need to provide help to women in difficult life situations. He noted that the Church has been offering support for many years so that mothers are not left alone with their problems.

Prof. Franaszek heads the commission investigating sexual abuse of minors in the Church

During the meeting in Zakopane, the bishops adopted the amended statute of the commission of independent experts to investigate the phenomenon of sexual abuse of minors in the Catholic Church in Poland. Its chairman was prof. Piotr Franaszek.

According to Bishop Sławomir Oder, the commission was established during the previous plenary meeting of the Polish Episcopal Conference, but starting its activities required a procedure for obtaining legal personality under state law. The draft statute was submitted to the Ministry of Interior and Administration for consultation. After receiving comments, the document was amended and re-adopted during Saturday's deliberations.

Today we have made a very important step forward. This empty legal structure is beginning to take on very specific shapes, said Bishop Oder. He added that the amended statute would be resubmitted to the ministry to continue the procedure of obtaining legal personality.

Prof. Franaszek noted that the commission is at the initial stage of its activity. The next step will be to invite experts to cooperate and form a team. After assembling its members, the committee is to develop research methodology and methods of conducting work.

Bishops on the upbringing of young people, religion and ethics lessons

During the meeting, the problem of educating the young generation was also discussed. The bishops drew attention to the challenges related to the development of the digital world, loneliness of young people, peer pressure and violence and aggression.

In a speech devoted to this issue, it was pointed out that concern for academic results should not obscure the development of the personality and conscience of young people.

For the sake of good grades and good exam results, don't we forget about shaping people and conscience? Do we remember that education, if it is deprived of moral formation, loses its deeper meaning? – asked Bishop Wojciech Osial.

He emphasized that responsibility for a young person rests with parents, teachers, educators and the entire society. He called for dialogue across divisions between communities, institutions and churches to jointly seek the causes of youth problems and effective ways to solve them.

Ad hoc actions are not enough. The future requires a wise, calm dialogue from us, so that the school can also fulfill its educational function as best as possible, but in combination with the family, which is the first environment of upbringing - said the hierarch.

The representative of the Polish Episcopal Conference also drew attention to the educational role of religion and ethics lessons. In his message to young people, he assured that the Church wants to listen to them, accompany them and help them build their lives on moral values.

The plenary meeting of the Polish Episcopal Conference began on Thursday at the "Księżówka" Formation and Training Center - the KEP retreat house in Zakopane and ended on Saturday.