MILLENNIUM
At the beginning the relations between PZPR and Episcopate were fairly
good. Gomulka agreed to publishing of some catholic newspapers like "Tygodnik
Powszechny" and "Znak". However he did not allow to dismiss pro governmental,
pseudocatholical group PAX. On December 8th 1956 the Common Board of Government
and Episcopate had an appointment, during which its members were talking
about the issue of religious life of people and the support of Episcopate
for government's actions. In January 1957 cardinal Wyszynski met the prime
minister of Poland. The negotiations concerned relationships between the
government and the church.
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Millennium - Czestochowa
August 15th 1966 |
In 1958 the conflict between PZPR, government and church became deeper.
Church was spreading its influences into different spheres of life, it
supported religious education. The governmental side tried to make it more
difficult. They wanted to narrow Church's influence. That is why there
were continuous conflicts.
In November 1965 Polish bishops sent a letter to German bishops.
It said: "we forgive and ask for forgiveness". These words were used by
propaganda to prove Church's wickedness.
The fight of Church and government became worse because of celebrations
of 1000 years of christianity in Poland and 1000 years of Polish country.
The solemnities were organized separately by Church and by government.
The government used different kinds of methods to disturb Church. On April
17th 1966 during the manifestation in Poznan Gomulka delivered a speech
in which he attacked cardinal Wyszynski. It was connected with the celebration
of the millennium.
Gomulka did not suppose that in this conflict the most of society
is on the Church's side, against the PZPR, that his attacks strengthened
the Episcopate's position. The party's attacks on Church were diminished
after the March events.