Episcopal Conference Issues Statement on Polish Church Issues

The Polish Bishops' Conference convened in Zakopane from 22 to 24 October 2026. Bishops listened to a report from a Vatican meeting of episcopal conference leaders marking the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis's apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia. They emphasized that sacramental marriage and family constitute a path to happiness and holiness. The bishops highlighted the need for support for young people to courageously respond to the call to love and to enter sacramental marriage. They stressed special care for young couples, families facing crises, and individuals in irregular unions, helping them grow in faith and discern their situation in light of the Gospel and Church teaching.

The conference also expressed concern over recent tragic events in Polish schools, calling for reflection on moral and religious values in education and affirming the role of religious education in fostering respect and responsibility. The bishops opposed recent parliamentary changes weakening legal protection for unborn children, urging respect for all human life from conception and offering concrete, long-term assistance to women in difficult life situations and their families. The conference accepted a revised statute for the Independent Experts Commission investigating sexual abuse of minors in the Catholic Church in Poland, which will be submitted to state authorities for legal personality.