Catholic Church in Lower Silesia against Communism (1945–1974)

Contributions by Jan Kopiec Contributions by Kazimiera Jaworska Contributions by Grzegorz SokoΕ‚owski Contributions by Bogdan Giemza Contributions by Agata Mirek Contributions by Krzysztof Borecki Edited by Kazimiera Jaworska Series edited by Rajmund Pietkiewicz Series edited by Krzysztof Pilarczyk

Book cover: Catholic Church in Lower Silesia against Communism (1945–1974)

Extent: 280 pages

Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht

Subjects: Religious Studies

Series: Eastern and Central European Voices

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(January 2022)

ISBN: 9783525573372

6.34 x 9.25 inches

Price: $119.00

In stock

The first work in English on the struggle of the Catholic Church in Lower Silesia with the communist regime after World War II.


Post-war Lower Silesia was intended by the communists to be a “laboratory of socialism”. Hence, they developed and pursued a special policy towards the Catholic Church. The book highlights the specificity of the pastoral ministry provided by the successive rulers of the Church in Wroclaw (Karol Milik, Kazimierz Lagosz, Cardinal Boleslaw Kominek) in the realities of the communist state. It shows the role of Cardinal Kominek who was persecuted for his attitude towards communists, his activity in the Polish Episcopate and in the forum of the universal Church. Moreover, it presents the system of repression aimed at diocesan clergy and religious orders and limiting theological education. With the objective of secularising the Lower Silesian society, the communists put emphasis on promoting their ideology, especially among the young generation. The Church responded with speeches by hierarchs condemning these activities and with pastoral initiatives to slow down the process.

Prof. Dr. Jan Kopiec is bishop of the Diocese of Gliwice, and professor emeritus of the University of Opole, Poland.

  • Contributions by Jan Kopiec
  • Contributions by Kazimiera Jaworska
  • Contributions by Grzegorz SokoΕ‚owski
  • Contributions by Bogdan Giemza
  • Contributions by Agata Mirek
  • Contributions by Krzysztof Borecki
  • Edited by Kazimiera Jaworska
  • Series edited by Rajmund Pietkiewicz
  • Series edited by Krzysztof Pilarczyk