OAZY WOLNOŚCI. Nowohuckie kościoły w działaniach Służby Bezpieczeństwa (1960-1989)

• Authors: Katarzyna Wordliczek

Title variants

EN

OASES OF FREEDOM. The churches of Nowa Huta in the activities of Security Services (1960-1989)

• Languages of publication: PL

Abstracts

EN

The article is an attempt to describe the interesting history of the churches of Nowa Huta, built thanks to the sacrifi ces and perseverance of many people in the district, which was intended to become a model example of an atheist workers community. The inhabitants of the district soon demonstrated their attachment to Christianity and presented impressive determination in the attempt to build a church in Nowa Huta. Thanks to their involvement, one after another, churches in Nowa Huta were being raised: the Ark of Lord in Bienczyce, the church in Mistrzejowice and in the Szklane Domy district. In time, they became for the society tired of the oppressions of the Communist regime a type of “oases” of freedom, where they could fi nd peace, support and consolation. The proclamation of the state of war by Jaruzelski on the 13th of December 198 on the one hand brought the faithful closer to the Church, but on the other also increased the repressions against the priests and laics. The Nowa Huta churches opened points of support for the oppressed and interned as well as for their families, where gifts and medicines were being distributed. The clergy together with the faithful were engaging in various political, social, support and cultural initiatives in opposition to the offi cial regime. Holly Masses were celebrated in the intention of the Fatherland. For their actions the priests were oppressed by the Secret Service members, i.e. were spied on, bugged, their correspondence was being controlled, false accusations were being spread, they were bullied and threatened. Nowa Huta was a scene of confrontation between the Communist attempts and Christian solidarity. The confrontation, which lasted for many years, was won by the Church and the society.

• Publisher: Księgarnia Akademicka
• Journal: Sowiniec
• Year: 2012
• Issue: 40
• Pages: 29-43

Contributors

author

Katarzyna Wordliczek