The Senate Legislative Committee considered two draft resolutions on Tuesday. One honors the work and influence of St. John Paul II in Poland, Europe, and the world, a proposal crafted by PSL senators. The other defends the pope’s good name, a measure drafted by the PiS club. These discussions followed a broader push to acknowledge Pope John Paul II’s legacy while navigating a current political climate.
Senator Marek Borowski of KO urged the committee to adopt a consolidated text of the resolution, presenting it with amendments. His stance centered on uniting around the pope as a figure whose legacy transcends partisan politics, and he argued that the Senate should avoid turning the pope into a tool for contemporary political battles.
From the outset the committee accepted Borowski’s position, though PiS senators voiced dissent. Senator Jerzy Czerwiński argued that Borowski’s consolidated version effectively superseded the PSL proposal without addressing the PiS alternative. The room did not reach agreement on the amendments proposed by Czerwiński and Senator Marek Komorowski of PiS.
Komorowski suggested changing the resolution’s title to emphasize that it also serves to defend the pope’s good name. He also proposed a paragraph condemning a media campaign that referenced materials linked to the former communist security apparatus, a move intended to frame contemporary discourse within a broader historical context.
In response, Czerwiński proposed removing the paragraph that critiques the use of the pope for political show ahead of elections. Borowski balked at both sets of amendments, arguing that the text already proclaims praise for John Paul II. He added that everyone is fallible, a reality that does not diminish the pope’s example or achievements.
PSL senator Kazimierz Ujazdowski contended that the chamber should speak about John Paul II with measured, non-reactive language, avoiding references to specific media pieces. Former Senate Marshal Bogdan Borusewicz of KO highlighted the Senate’s sovereignty in passing resolutions, noting that unlike laws, these resolutions are not bound by Sejm outcomes.
Komorowski pressed for separate votes on his amendments, but the committee rejected that idea as well. In the end, the consolidated text received 15 votes in its favor, with six against and three abstentions.
The proposed resolution, backed by the committees, begins with a historical note on Cardinal Karol Wojtyła’s election as pope on October 16, 1978. It emphasizes his status as the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the renewal of Christian hope that followed. The text recalls his visit to Poland and the memorable moment in Warsaw, where he spoke of spiritual descent and renewal for the world. It also highlights his deep commitment to the Polish nation, its struggle for freedom, and the country’s future.
The document underscores John Paul II’s global influence, noting his engagement with many Christian denominations as well as with Islam and Judaism. It points out that he was the first pope to visit a mosque and a synagogue, and it portrays his belief in the European project, insisting that the continent should breathe with both its eastern and western halves. After the fall of the Iron Curtain, he urged unity through a shared spiritual heritage. During his address to the Polish Parliament, he reportedly supported Poland’s integration into the European Union from the earliest days. The resolution lauds his lifelong commitment to human dignity, social justice, and the rights of workers, framing him as a steady advocate for dialogue across communities and for national unity.
The Senate of the Republic of Poland expresses respect for John Paul II’s contributions to Polish history and to global civilization. It also notes the pope’s enduring influence on human rights and the empowerment of the disadvantaged around the world. The text emphasizes his advocacy for working people and his role as a proponent of social dialogue that unites a divided society. The document recalls his stance during Queen Jadwiga’s canonization, urging unity rather than division, and it calls the Senate to oppose any political exploitation of the pope’s image ahead of upcoming elections. It affirms gratitude for the pope’s role in rekindling national freedom and dignity across nations.
Decision of PiS senators
Senator Marek Komorowski told the press after the committee meeting that PiS senators would likely propose amendments to the resolution during plenary debate, with final decisions to come at the party club’s Wednesday meeting. He stressed that the current committee draft is not the exhaustion point of the issues raised by PiS senators and that a broader consensus had already formed in the Sejm between PiS and PSL with a resolution passed there.
Komorowski remarked that the Senate majority did not engage with their proposals, effectively approving a version prepared elsewhere. He asserted that the final text should include a basic paragraph protesting the media campaign against the pope by citing materials formerly held by the PRL apparatus. He concluded with a note that further discussion would refine the approach and ensure the document reflects PiS priorities.
For context, a coverage update from the press service PAP indicated ongoing discussions, with additional commentaries noting the broader parliamentary dynamics surrounding the pope’s legacy. The situation remains a focal point of interparty dialogue as lawmakers balance respect for history with contemporary political considerations.
Source: wPolityce