The number of Poles in Danemark in the 80s was estimated at 10-15 thousand. The author analyses the problems of contemporary Polish-Danish intermarriages, but in order to make comparison, he characterizes also the intermarriages of the former Polish immigration to Danemark. The number of intermarriages in Danemark is estimated at 200-300, which constitutes 10-15% of all Polish families there. The majority of them have the following type: a Polish woman-a Dane. The analysis of the problem of Polish-Danish intermarriages emphasizes their instable character, which results in serious consequences especially for the Poles. This instability is occassioned by two principle causes: untypical motives to marry (departure from the country of origin, settlement possibilities in Danemark, material interest etc.), and relatively great cultural, denominational, language, and often educational differences. The author presents also regularities in the behaviour of children of intermarriages. Generally speaking, these regularities bear witness to the total domination of Danish influence. The most recent Polish migration often shows great religious immaturity, as the Poles discard religious and moral principles proclaimed by the Catholic Church. There is a lot of things, which point to the fact that children of intermarriages will be lost for the Church. The author concludes that the young generation has to be prepared already in their country to face the problems connected with migration and intermarriages.
The author distinguishes two periods of the Polish educational activities in Denmark: the years 1945-1971 and 1971-1980. There was no proper Polish education in the first periods There were only slight educational elements in some Polish organizations and parishes. It has been since 1970 that the Polish pastoral care centres in Denmark began their educational activities. Thanks to the local priests and nuns „Saturday scools” were organized to teach Polish to about 35% of the Polish children and 20% of youngsters.
The author states that religious associations in Denmark were of mere importance and little effect on Polonia. It resulted mainly from the seasonal character of the emigration and its dispersion when finally settled, lack of Polish priests and a strong assimilative pressure from other foreign priests. The existing associations were not of Polish character. Thus, they only indirrectly served to maintain the national identity of a part of the first generation of Polish immigrants. They enabled some extra meetings and exchange of opinions. Thus, in a sense, they might serve the aim o maintaining the group links. After the second world war, when the Polish pastoral care was finally organized in Denmark no religious associations existed any more.
The aim of this paper is to present the capital work of many Catholic priestes of various nationalities, who tried to organize the centres of ministry for Polish season workers coming to Denmark. Right from the beginning the ministry was confronted with many problems: the specific character of Polish religiosity, psychological and cultural differences between Poles and Danes, and finally the position of Catholics in Denmark who constitute approx. 0,5% - 1% of the whole population. The first 57 years of ministry were conducted practically without Polish priests, those who were there were leaving after shorter or longer periods. The ministration in Denmark can be divided in 3 periods. I. 1893-1925 a very dynamic period characterized of mass immigration of Polish workers to Denmark, changing from temporary to permanent. The economic, social, religious and linguistic problems had stigmatized not only Poles but also Danes having contacts with them. II. 1925-1950 the period of stagnation. The new generation of Poles already born in Denmark was quickly assimilated, including religion. The older generation was automatically embodied into Danish ministration, and the priests of diverse nationalities were not aware of specific spiritual and religious needs of Polish immigration. III. 1950-1978 the restoration of Polish ministration. First the end of 60s and the beginning of 70s were witnessing the vigorous reemergence of some centres particularly in Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense. The pioneer of the postwar ministration is pt. J. Szymaszek, the Rector of the Polish Cathlic Mission in Denmark. He was joined by other 9 Polish priests who are active in 7 centres of Polish ministration and are also gradually integrated in the Danish ministration.