Poland - Papal Hypocrisy
Socialist Republic1983Internationalism and other strugglesChurch, state and civil libertiesInternment, repression and the courtsJohn MageeInternationalism and other strugglesChurch, state and civil libertiesInternment, repression and the courts
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The Pope's visit to Poland highlighted once again the hypocrisy of the Catholic hierarchy. When the Pope came to Ireland a few years back his message to the struggling people of the 6 counties was to accept the oppression of British rule, He backed the Imperialist presence and denounced the violence of those who resist.
Again when he went. to LatingAmerica Jearlier this year he sided } ith the imperialist warmongers and ‘Condemned the -revolutionary fighters in Nicaragua, El Salvader.and Guatemala. His harshest words were reserved for those left-wing priests. who openly backed the struggle of the oppressed.
However, accerding to the capitalist media, wien the Pope was ir Poland he became the champion of workers rights. His references to Solidarnose (the independent trade union) and his defence of the 1981 Gdansk agreements are trumpeted -as ‘daring attacks’ an the Polish ‘Communist’ regime and presented as evidence that the church leads the Polish working class.
The real situation is considerably more complicated. We in Ireland are well aware of Church statements which talk of "freedom", “rights", "peace" and “equality" while at the same time Church leaders ate supporting repression of republicans and trying to portry then as “moral lepers"
The role of the Pope and church in Poland is not all that different. Since before the martial law coup of 1981 the church has preached "moderation" and has publically attacked calls for strikes even after the coup - for example in November 1982 and again before May day this year. It is this "moderating" role of the church that led the Polish bureaucrats to inform the Pope in advance of the December 1931 coup that it was going to take place. In return for the Churches silence on the coup (which the Pope has never condemned) the promise was given that there would be no repression of _ priests.
The aim of the Catholic church in Poland is the same ‘as everywhere else; . to mentain its own position and hold on to maximum influnce. And as the Vatican newspaper was unwise enough to leak, if that means stabbing Lech Walesa in the back, I told you not to let him then Amen.
near that Polish vodka, for chrissake!
The Pope and the Catholic Church without doubt have a major influence over Polish workers. But the struggle since 1980, the determination of Solidarnose suggest that the Polish workers will not submit meekly to Jaruzelski or Archbishop Glemp, The Pope's visit gave Solidarnosc the cover to bring its militants onto the streets and to deepen the rebuilding of their movement. In the coming months the Polish workers will be pushing thr- _ cugh the gap opened up by the Pope's visit.
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SOCIALIST REPUBLIC