Bishops are meeting in Zakopane. Topics include sexual abuse of minors in the Church

Family and marriage under the microscope of the Episcopate

The meeting of bishops takes place at the "Księżówka" Formation and Training Center.

The hierarchs are to listen to the report of the president of the Episcopate, Archbishop. Tadeusz Wojda, regarding preparations for the meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Rome, which will take place on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the publication of the exhortation "Amoris Laetitia".

The bishops are also to reflect on the situation of families and marriages in Poland, paying attention to the ongoing secularization and the challenges present in the public debate.

Work on the sexual abuse commission

One of the key points of the meeting is the further stage of work on establishing a commission of independent experts to investigate cases of sexual abuse of minors in the Catholic Church in Poland.

Legal documents enabling the functioning of the commission have already been prepared, and its statute has been submitted to the state authorities. The bishops are to discuss the comments submitted by the government and probably adopt the final version of the statute.

Financial stability of Catholic media

During the meeting, the bishops will also return to the issue of financing media related to the Episcopate, such as the Catholic Information Agency or the Opoka portal. In June, a special media fund was established to support these entities, but so far it has not been funded. The bishops are to discuss ways to ensure financial stability for Catholic media, including those operating at the diocesan level.

Religious education and formation of deacons

The meeting agenda also included issues related to religion classes in schools and a new form of parish catechesis being prepared. The bishops are to evaluate the course of the synodal process in Polish dioceses and vote on the adoption of the directory regarding the formation, life and ministry of permanent deacons in Poland.

Common prayer and conclusion of the meeting

Eucharistic celebrations with the participation of the entire Episcopate are also planned during the meeting. On Thursday evening, the Holy Mass in the sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Krzeptówki will be presided over by Cardinal. Konrad Krajewski, and on Friday in the church of St. Saint Jacek in Chochołów, the liturgy will be presided over by Cardinal. Grzegorz Ryś.

The proceedings will end on Saturday.