Die Katholische Kirche in den polnischen Landen angesichts der nationalen und sozialen Problematik im 19. Jahrhundert
During the period when Poland was under foreign rule, the Catholic Church came to play the role of acting as a centre of nationalist aspirations, on top of its religious functions. As such it strengthened the morale of the Polish population and helped to maintain its nationalist hopes. In Upper Sile...
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | German |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2002
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| In: |
Kirchliche Zeitgeschichte
Year: 2002, Volume: 15, Issue: 1, Pages: 52-62 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | During the period when Poland was under foreign rule, the Catholic Church came to play the role of acting as a centre of nationalist aspirations, on top of its religious functions. As such it strengthened the morale of the Polish population and helped to maintain its nationalist hopes. In Upper Silesia the population successfully maintained their links to Polish culture. In their closed milieu, both culture and language survived. In the second half of the nineteenth century, the danger of dechristianization in the rapidly growing urban centres with their large capitalist enterprises, following the Industrial Revolution, was avoided thanks to the active role of the bishops of Breslau, all of whom were Germans. But their open and catholic policies, in support of the shrewd and self-sacrificing clergy, left their mark. Even the Kulturkampf after 1870 did not destroy this achievement. And this friendly attitude on the part of the bishops and priests continued to be pastorally fruitful in later years in the multi-national region of Upper Silesia. The atmosphere remained one of tolerance towards those who identified with differing national aspirations. No encouragement was given to reactionary nationalist fanaticism. In other regions of Poland, the Catholic Church was also very active, particularly in social work, and in the spiritual and intellectual training provided for young Poles, Unking them to the Church. But less emphasis was placed on developing political or national ideologies. It is notable that no priest was to be found amongst the theoreticians of the nationalist movement. As a result the clergy was split over how far they should support the November 1863 and January 1864 revolutions, or stand in solidarity with the popular revolt. Shortly before the outbreak of the 1863 revolution, the Russian authorities took stringent measures against terrorism. There was a danger that the Polish people would be provoked into violence and hence deeper repression. As a result, churchmen were advised not to join in. The Holy See warned the Polish clergy not to take part in any conspiratorial activities. |
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| ISSN: | 2196-808X |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Kirchliche Zeitgeschichte
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