The Influence of the Catholic Hierarchy in Poland, 1989-96

Abstract

The Catholic Church in Poland was a major social and political force in communist Poland and it mobilized its diverse resources to achieve significant policy victories in the period of Solidarity governments after 1989. The social welfare activities of Catholic organ izations increased. Thus it looked for a time as though the new social welfare regime would be a type of Catholic corporatism. However, the Church hierarchy did not adapt effectively to pluralist diversity. It often appeared more concerned with its own institutional interests than with the social problems arising from the new capitalist system. The electoral triumph of the successor parties in September 1993 inaug urated a deterioration in the relationship be tween Church and the new government, dominated by secular elements. The Church shifted its attention to a more overtly political agenda, especially the Concordat and the Constitution, and once again abortion. It did not participate in policy debates on welfare benefits, pensions, health or poverty. The coalition delayed ratification of the Concordat and proved resistant to the Church's demands on the formulation of the Church-State re lationship. However, the continuing signifi cance of the Catholic Church should not be underestimated. Politicians remained wary of its influence and it retained an impressive array of political resources.