In Poland the Stranger Threatens Christianity: Polish Catholics and Their Attitude Towards Refugees

Abstract

This chapter aims to analyse the official statements of members of the Catholic hierarchy in Poland concerning the issue of welcoming refugees. After presenting data concerning the number of refugees and followers of Islam as well as the status of the Catholic Church in Poland, this chapter explains why—despite the low numbers of Muslims and refugees and a dominant position of the Church in the country—many Polish Catholics are against accepting newcomers on their land. Different statements of Church officials—from Pope Francis to regular parish priests—are quoted and examined. Additionally, the reactions of the Catholic media to the so-called refugee crisis are presented. The last part of this chapter presents the reaction of the Polish society—the results of nationwide surveys are presented and statements of politicians as well as media responses are analysed. The main thesis of this chapter is that the silence of the Catholic Church in Poland was one of the main reasons why Islamophobic and anti-refugee sentiments were easily developed and used by politicians and media in Poland. Strong support from the Church in Poland to Pope Francis, supporting pro-refugee policy, might have made it much harder.