US EditionPoland Complains to Vatican over Bishops' Anti-Government and Anti-Migrant Remarks
POLAND, JUL 15 – Poland's foreign ministry demands Vatican action against bishops whose remarks on migration and government sparked formal protest, citing violations of concordat and canon law.
- On July 15, 2025, Poland's Foreign Ministry formally protested to the Vatican over critical remarks by Bishops Wiesław Mering and Antoni Długosz made during a pilgrimage at Jasna Góra Monastery.
- The protest followed bishops' statements accusing the government of being ruled by 'political gangsters' and people identifying as Germans, while warning that Poland’s borders face threats from both the west and east.
- The Foreign Ministry condemned the statements as shameful, slandering the government, undermining Polish-German relations, and supporting nationalist groups, urging the Vatican to discipline the bishops.
- The ministry’s letter described the remarks as 'hurtful and unacceptable,' conflicting with the 1993 Concordat governing Church-State relations, and requested actions to prevent similar future statements.
- This dispute highlights ongoing tensions around migration and Church influence in Poland, reflecting challenges to government sovereignty and diplomatic ties with Germany amid a predominantly Catholic society.
18 Articles
18 Articles
The controls at the border with Germany have been causing controversy in Poland for weeks. Most recently, Catholic clergymen also repeatedly stirred up the mood. Now the government in Warsaw is drawing consequences.
Praying for border protection, along with polemics against a supposedly "German" government in Warsaw: some Polish bishops are in a mood against Germany because of the situation at the border. Now Donald Tusk responds with a letter to the Holy See.
Warsaw Files Vatican Complaint After Bishops Blast Immigration
Poland has lodged an official complaint with the Vatican after two Polish bishops criticised the Tusk government and mass immigration. Poland’s foreign ministry called the duo’s remarks “harmful and misleading” and “indicating clear support for nationalist groups”. The ambassador to the Holy See, Adam Kwiatkowski, delivered the message after the bishop emeritus of Wlocławek, Wiesław Mering, described Poland as “ruled by political gangsters” in a…
Poland protests to Vatican over bishops' comments on migration
WARSAW — The Polish government said Tuesday it has protested to the Vatican after two bishops issued scathing criticism of Warsaw’s migration policies. Poland said the bishops, who are close to the country’s nationalist movements, were interfering in domestic politics and harming relations with Germany. “We do not consent to statements containing hurtful and unacceptable words, which undermine the fundamental principles of human dignity, as well…
Poland complains to Vatican over bishops' anti-government and anti-migrant remarks
Keep our news free from ads and paywalls by making a donation to support our work! Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and is published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support. Poland has called on the Vatican to take action against two Polish bishops who recently made “harmful and misleading” remarks criticising the government and exp…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
