The church's proposals included, among other things: Introducing the principle of compulsory teaching of religion and ethics “out of necessity for the axiomatic formation of students.”
As part of the search for a compromise, it is also proposed to gradually reduce the scope of religious education in secondary schools, while respecting the employment rights of catechists, as stated in the statement of the Polish Episcopal Conference. Ta. At the same time, KEP wants the changes in elementary schools to be halted.
Changes in religious hierarchies. The church does not agree with the government's proposal
Reducing religion classes to one hour per week is a major point of contention among KEP-MEN. The bishops also believe that it is unfair and discriminatory to adopt the rule that religious lessons should take place before or after other school activities.
The church's website therefore refers to the practice in other European countries, recalling that teaching religion in schools is “considered the norm locally,” and also notes that it has been “considered the norm in Poland since 1989. “It is one of the symbols of freedom and change,” he said.
“In the Church's opinion, the changes being implemented will lead to the destruction of the religious education system in public schools in Poland,” the statement said.
KEP therefore believes that it may be in violation of applicable regulations and announced that it would take “further legal action.”
Church funds are a problem
A meeting of the Joint Committee of Representatives of the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Synod of the Episcopal Church of Poland was held on Monday, December 9, at the Secretariat of the Episcopal Conference of Poland. The meeting was held at the request of the Church, represented by Archbishop Józef Kupny, Metropolitan Archbishop of Wrocław. Tomasz Siemoniak, Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, attended on behalf of the government.
The meeting was called after consultations within the Subcommittee on Religion in Schools established by the Joint Committee failed to reach consensus. The issue of church funds was also discussed at the meeting.
The government reiterated its proposal to replace it with other possible solutions, but the Church is awaiting the establishment of a government team to consult with the Church, in accordance with the Concordat. In March, the Chairman of the Church Covenant Commission appointed an appropriate team to conduct the negotiations.
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