The Catholic Church in Poland, Her Faithful, and the Restrictions on Freedom to Practise Religion during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the rapid spread of coronavirus epidemic, state authorities in Poland—as other countries—decided introduce various restrictions on rights and freedoms, including freedom practise religion. The purpose this study is analyse evaluate position taken by ministers Catholic Church Poland her faithful towards these during first wave pandemic. An analysis source material, documents published representatives Conference Polish Bishops diocesan bishops (or curial deputy officials), leads conclusion that, their official messages, virtually unanimously supported imposed state, often granting them sanction canon law, or introducing even more restrictive solutions own dioceses. Moreover, an media coverage pandemic, as well sociological opinion research focusing Poland’s faithful, concludes that both ‘rank-and-file’ clergy exhibited a polarised assessment stance adopted restrictions. However, allows for refutation claim expressed literature, shared some about bishops’ excessive submissiveness authorities. Our proves somewhat distorts reality. Rather, attitude hierarchs needs be seen expression responsibility common good. More deserving criticism, hand, focus ecclesiastical message period religion, while right spiritual goods was relegated background (Can. 213 CIC-1983). adopting framework developed Joseph Cardijn (‘see–judge–act’), our with recommendation should similar crisis arise future, institution rather its securing said context state-imposed restrictions, typical addressee legal norms, line conclusions drawn from autonomy independence underlying principles State-Church relationship teachings law.