News / Poland to return to Catholic tradition? [177]

During 45 years of Soviet-style rule with its persecution of the church under Stalinism and anti-clericalism in later decades, the Church was often the only place Poles could feel free. It was largely the strong position and public support of the church that prevented widespread collectivisation in Poland. After Poland ditched communism in 1989, Catholics sought to return to pre-Communist tradition. Church weddings became legal once again and the Epiphany and Assumption Day were restored to legal-holiday status. Religious instruction returned to schools, and streets such as "ulica Wincentego" under the Communists regained their pre-World War name of "ulica św. Wincentego" ). And priests were once again invited to bless newly built roads, bridges, schools, shopping malls, supermarkets and other private and public facilities.

But an exceptionally cynical and hypocritical version of "biting the hand" was displayed by the so-called dissidents mainly sharing Michnik's judaeo-commie roots. When they needed the Church, they eagerly held their meetings and hunger strikes on Church premises and enjoyed the protection of the cassock under martial law. But they displayed incredible ingratitude once they came to power and almost immediately launched vicious attacks on the Church.