T H E C A T H O L I C C H U R C H I N P O L A N D A N D T H E E U R O P E A N U N I O N

Abstract

After 1989 the catholic Church in Poland had difficulties in determining its places in the public sphere. Despite the numerous mistakes made while struggling with the new reality, it has retaired its institutional power and its authority in the society. In the dabate over Poladn’s accession to the European structures, the Church chose the European Union regardless of the objections raised by the clergy involved with Radio Maryja and the daily paper „Nasz Dziennik”. The teachings of John Paul II have had crucial influence on that decision. The Pope recognised Poland as a deffender of chrystian traditions, thus giving it a special role in the integrating Europe. Following Poland accession to the European Union, the catholic Church has been actively participating in the process of inspiring the sense of unity in Europe. Cooperating with other local catholic churches, within the European religion institutions it propagates christian values in the political, economical and social sferes of Europe.