Poland
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Population: 38.6 million
Life expectancy males/females: 68 /76 years
Infant mortality rate: 12.4‰ |
Religions: Catholic 95%; Orthodix; Protestant;
Polish Catholic;
Jewish; Mariavite.
GDP per capita: US $2,790 |
A period of change
For very many years, contact with the exterior world was practically
impossible apart from a few fortunate individuals. The confreres
could not go to missions abroad and the developments in missiology
and ecclesiology did not have much influence in the seminaries.
The Church had become a fortress in opposition to communism and
this attracted people into the Church. But the fall of communism
changed the situation: Christians became much more critical of the
clergy and the number of vocations diminished.
Present orientations
The changes allowed the Province to send members abroad, and after
a few years, some of them were recalled for service in their own
country. The experiences of these missionaries outside Poland had
a considerable influence on the pastoral work carried out at home.
The search for a balance between those who had worked outside and
those who had stayed in the country became very necessary.
The Province has shown an appreciation of the importance of communications.
It began a newsletter for its members to communicate decisions of
the General Council, appointments etc. A missionary magazine was
started for the country, made possible with the help of other European
Provinces. The number of subscribers is rising all the time.
In 1996, the Province celebrated its 75th birthday. A congress
was organised to mark the occasion and several people were invited
to give conferences. It was very successful and provided an opportunity
to make the Congregation better known.
In 1997, Poland held a Eucharistic Congress at which the Pope was
present, and some of our confreres were very active in organising
the event.
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