Political and social activity of "patriotic priests" of Częstochowa diocese (1949–1955)

The article presents the participation of the Częstochowa clergy in the so-called patriot priests movement. It gives the number of priests belonging to the District Commission of Priests in Katowice, the District Commission of Priests in Łódź, the Commission of Catholic Intellectuals and Activists, the Commission of Catholic Clergy and Lay Activists, it brings closer the motives of their involvement, the functions they performed in central and regional structures, it characterizes the forms of political and social activity. The 'patriotic priests' from Czestochowa actively participated in all propaganda actions concerning, among others, the so-called 'struggle for peace'. They also condemned, according to official rhetoric, the activities of the Church Caritas and sat on the new provincial boards established by the communists. They joined the fight to establish permanent church administration in the so-called Recovered Territories. They condemned the priests accused in the trial of the Krakow curia and spoke positively about the decree of the State Council of 9 February 1953 concerning the filling of church posts. They supported, and often themselves actively participated in social actions, e. g. sowing, harvesting, threshing, anti-potato beetle actions. The catechists instilled in the youth a respect for the state authorities, a love of work and the need to make an effort to implement the 6-year plan. An important aspect of their activity was writing and participation in the work of national councils at the provincial and district level.