Udział duchowieństwa katolickiego w życiu politycznym i społecznym Polski w latach 1918–1939 na przykładzie diecezji włocławskiej

Abstract

When Poland regained its independence, the catholic clergy actively took part in shaping social and political life of the country. They called for unity, harmony and the need to build a country based on catholic teaching of the Church. The clergy from Włocławek sympathized with the National Democracy – that was the party which had a great deal of support from all bishops of Włocławek. Polish Christian Democratic Party had also a lot of supporters in those days, the Party existed under this name until 1937, when it united with the National Worker’s Party forming Labour Party. You could say that the clergy were in favor of social solidarity, whose realization was a corporate system, which should be understood as an authentic socio-economic autonomy, created with the help of the country but the initiative itself came from society. An important external factor, which ordered priests to engage in political affairs, was the social radicalism among the urban and rural population. A peasant movement played a significant role here. The clergy relatively favorable referred to the polish parties such as “Piast” and “Stronnictwo Ludowe”. The priests worked for many organizations, associations, trade unions or school. A great deal of efforts had to be put into the functioning of agricultural circles or fire brigades. The priests were also involved in the activities of local government, the development of cooperative movement. They performed various functions in educational and cultural organizations. Those working in industrial factories were involved in trade union movement, whose ideology was based on principles of Christian ethic and the existing social order.