Poland: Religion in Poland and the Policies of Pope John Paul II, Including the Pope’s Visit, June 1979

Summary

A file of correspondence and reports concerning religion in Poland, and a visit to Poland by Pope John Paul II. The documents cover preparations for the visit of the pope to Poland; details of the programme for the visit; arrangements for the press; and a review of the visit, which drew large crowds and was deemed a success. Other documents in the file discuss recent speeches by the pope; a planned visit to Poland by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Donald Coggan, which was later postponed; and the relationship between church and state in Poland, which has seen a recent souring due to acts of provocation by the Polish government. The file also includes details of meetings between the Primate of Poland, Archbishop Stefan Wyszyński, and the Polish leader, Edward Gierek; and press releases from the Polish embassy in Britain on the Pope's visit, on religious tolerance in Poland, and on church education in Poland.

Tags

human rights united kingdom education poland publicity vatican international relations religion religious education official visits church-state relations speeches religious leaders the guardian church of england anglo-polish relations Andrei Gromyko religious buildings Roman Catholic Church ecclesiastical visits Stefan Władysław Edward Gierek Polish-Vatican relations John Paul II Agostino Casaroli Donald Coggan Pope John Paul II's visit to Poland