Poland’s Catholic bishops have criticized the government for restricting religious education in schools while introducing a “Health Education” subject that promotes contraception to children.
In a statement published on August 24 by the Polish Episcopal Conference, the Catholic bishops expressed their discontent with the current government’s decision to cut religious education classes to one hour per week in public schools.
“We wish to make it clear that religion classes are not a privilege of the Church,” the statement reads. “They are a constitutional right of students and parents, stemming from the principle of freedom of conscience and religion, as well as the right of parents to raise their children in accordance with their own beliefs. Religious education classes help shape one’s conscience, teach responsibility, and build a hierarchy of values. They do not serve solely the personal formation of believers. They allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the history of Poland and Europe, literature, art, social ethics, and many other areas of culture. They also help students better understand themselves, find meaning in life, and deepen their understanding of their faith. They bring something unique to school education: an answer to the deepest questions about the meaning, value, and purpose of human life.”
“For many students, especially in times of crisis, it is precisely what they learn in religion classes that serves as a guidepost, preventing them from losing their way,” the statement emphasized.
“In this context, with concern for future generations, we are closely monitoring the actions of the Ministry of National Education,” the bishops stated. “The mandate to schedule religion classes before or after other school classes, the reduction of instruction to one hour per week, the possibility of combining classes, and the exclusion of religion grades from the overall grade average are leading to the marginalization of religion in Polish schools.
“We therefore call for the immediate restoration of the proper place for these classes and for the initiation of a genuine dialogue with representatives of religious communities,” they wrote.
However, the Polish bishops also noted that they support the initiative allowing students to choose between religion and ethics classes.
Regarding the new subject of “Health Education” in schools, which will be mandatory starting on September 1, the bishops said they “recognize the need for health education in schools and acknowledge its importance for disease prevention, mental health, and responsible social attitudes.”
“However, our concerns relate to the vision of the human person, marriage, and the family that emerges from the curriculum guidelines and published textbooks,” the statement continues.
The subject is also meant to “educate” students about “methods of contraception, the mechanism of their action, and the criteria for choosing an appropriate method contraception” and “methods of treatment” for infertility, which could include IVF. Both IVF and contraception are immoral and sinful according to the teaching of the Catholic Church. The sexual education aspect of the course will be optional.
“Another cause for concern is the lack of a clear stance that marriage is a union between a man and a woman,” the bishops warned.
“Sexuality should be presented within the context of marital and family relationships, because it is in this context that it serves the authentic good of the human person.”
They noted that “keeping the module on sexuality optional does not solve the problem.”
“We also note that, in developing the curriculum guidelines, there was a lack of broad dialogue with communities responsible for children’s upbringing. The proposals and requests of the Roman Catholic Church were not taken into account.”
“We therefore ask parents to remain vigilant in overseeing their children’s education in this important and sensitive area of life,” the bishops stressed.