Catholic Religious Education in Schools in Poland: Historical Perspectives and Contemporary Challenges

Abstract

Over the years, the focus of Catholic Religious Education in Polish schools has shifted from teaching the catechism, doctrines and morals to a multidimensional educational process. Similarly, there has also been a shift from an apologetic system to a more critical approach. However, the key historical, political, cultural and religious issues of the past have strongly impacted upon RE in Polish schools in contemporary times. This chapter presents and evaluates the complex issue of Catholic Religious Education in Polish schools. It explores the social, political and religious context in Poland since 1945 and gives a brief history of religious education in Poland. It then draws attention to the basic assumptions of the aims and content of Catholic Religious Education and provides a critical evaluation of the current challenges facing Catholic Religious Education in Poland. These challenges include such imperatives as an attitude of dialogue, providing learning for life, personal and religious development of pupils, the dignity of the human person, identity formation, teaching critical thinking skills, moral formation, promoting new models of collaboration with the family and developing effective methodologies and communication. The emerging trends impacting on Catholic Religious Education in Poland need to be evaluated in the light of the Gospel while searching for creative responses appropriate to present and future contexts.