Religion in Poland
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Most Poles, by far, adhere to the Christian faith, with about 88% belonging to the Roman Catholic Church[1] (according to the official state statistics for year 2006). Catholicism plays an important role in the lives of many Poles and the Roman Catholic Church in Poland enjoys immense social prestige and political influence. [2] The church is widely respected by both its members and nonmembers, who see it as a symbol of Polish heritage and culture.[3] The rest of the population consists mainly of Eastern Orthodox (about 506 000), Jehovah's Witnesses (about 220 000) and various Protestant (about 159 000, with about 76 000 in the largest Evangelical-Augsburg Church in Poland) religious minorities.[4]
According to the most recent Eurobarometer Poll 2005;[5]
- 80% of Polish citizens responded that "they believe there is a God" (which was the fifth highest result in the European Union).
- 15% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force".
- 3% answered that "don't know".
- 2% answered that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force".
According to the most recent CBOS opinion poll published in the fall of 2008;[6]
- 94% of Poles claim "they believe in God",
- 6% claim they "do not believe in God or do not know",
- 52% of believers claim "they attend to mass, religious meetings etc. at least once a week",
- while 17% do so "once or twice a month",
- 18% do so "a few times a year",
- and 13% "never do so".
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Poland was famous for its unique religious tolerance (see Warsaw Confederation (1573)).
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[edit] The Polish Constitution and religion
According to Poland's Constitution freedom of religion is ensured to everyone.It also allows for national and ethnic minorities to have the right to establish educational and cultural institutions, institutions designed to protect religious identity, as well as to participate in the resolution of matters connected with their cultural identity.
Religious organizations in the Republic of Poland can register their institution with the Ministry of Interior and Administration creating a record of churches and other religious organizations who operate under separate Polish laws. This registration is not necessary; however, it is beneficial when it comes to serving the freedom of religious practice laws.
[edit] Major denominations in Poland
| Denomination | Members | Leadership |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic Church in Poland[7] • Roman Catholic • Byzantine-Ukrainian • Uniate • Armenian |
33,550,000 | • Józef Glemp, Prymas of Poland • Józef Michalik, Chairman of Polish Episcopate • Józef Kowalczyk, Apostolic Nuncio to Poland • Jan Martyniuk, Archbishop Metropolite of Byzantine-Ukrainian Rite |
| Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church | 506,000 | Metropolitan of Warsaw Sawa |
| Evangelical-Augsburg Church in Poland | 76,000 | Bishop Fr. Janusz Jagucki |
| Old Catholic Mariavite Church in Poland | 23,300 | Chief Bishop Fr. Zdzisław Maria Włodzimierz Jaworski |
| Pentecostal Church in Poland | 21,200 | Chief priest, Mieczysław Czajko |
| Polish Catholic Church | 18,900 | Bishop Wiktor Wysoczański |
| Seventh-day Adventist Church in Poland | 9,600 | Fr. Paweł Lazar, President of the Church |
| Christian Baptist Church in Poland • Baptist Union of Poland |
6,500 | President of the Church : Gustaw Cieślar |
| Islamic Religious Union in Poland | 5,100 | President of the Supreme Muslim College Stefan Korycki |
| Evangelical Methodist Church in Poland | 4,460 | Ruler of the Church, Fr. Bishop Edward Puślecki |
| Evangelical Reformed Church in Poland | 3,500 | President consistory Dr. Witold Brodziński |
| Mariavite Church in Poland | 2,150 | Bishop Maria Beatrycze Szulgowicz |
| Union of Jewish Confessional Communities in Poland | 1,222 | • President of the Main Board Piotr Kadlcik • Chief rabbi of Poland Michael Schudrich |
There are roughly 125 other "minor" religions registered in Poland.[7]
[edit] See also
- Roman Catholicism in Poland
- Eastern Orthodoxy in Poland
- Islam in Poland
- Buddhism in Poland
- Hinduism in Poland
- History of the Jews in Poland
- Bahá'í Faith in Poland
[edit] References
- ^ (Polish)/(English) "Concise Statistical Yearbook of Poland, 2008". Central Statistical Office, Poland. 28 July 2008. http://www.stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xbcr/gus/PUBL_maly_rocznik_statystyczny_2008.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-09-19.
- ^ "Encyclopedia Britannica-Religion in Poland".
- ^ Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2007. "Poland".
- ^ (Polish) Kościoły i związki wyznaniowe w Polsce. Retrieved on June 17, 2008.
- ^ Eurobarometer Poll 2005
- ^ (Polish) 94% Polaków wierzy w Boga
- ^ a b "Society". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2002. http://www.poland.gov.pl/?document=397. Retrieved on 2008-12-03.
[edit] External links
- (Polish)/(English) Selected religious denominations in Poland, official statistics from 2001 (published in 2003)
- List of churches and religious unions registered according to special legislation
- List of churches and religious unions from the Register of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration
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