Senate Debates on John Paul II Resolution Stir Discourse in Poland
The discussion around a motion to adopt a resolution defending the reputation of Pope John Paul II drew criticism on Wednesday. The Marshal of the Senate, Tomasz Grodzki, warned that reacting to every attempt to attack a prominent figure would lead to a string of defensive resolutions and little substantive debate.
On March 16, members of the PiS Club introduced a draft resolution aimed at defending John Paul II’s good name. The PSL also put forward a similar proposal. At the outset of the Senate session on Wednesday, Deputy Marshal Marek Pęk of PiS lamented that the PiS resolution on John Paul II and another on post-war German damages were not on the day’s agenda. He noted that Grodzki had not printed the PiS draft, making it impossible to move the item onto the current agenda. Pęk described the situation as undemocratic and said it silences discussion on a topic that stirs strong national feeling ahead of Papal Day on April 2, which is expected to see many demonstrations in support of John Paul II.
Pęk also stated that the work on the second draft resolution concerning war damages had begun and was not halted for lack of content. The delay was attributed to unclear materials from the Polish government to the German government, and the note was said to be with the State Department and accessible to any senator for review.
Pęk: “I Expect a Democratic Debate in the Senate”
According to Pęk, only PiS senators had read the current note. He asked why the debate could not proceed and reiterated his call for a transparent, democratic discussion in the Senate.
p>Grodzki, representing KO, responded that discussing a resolution on John Paul II at that moment was pointless since the process had not officially started. He reminded the chamber of the Senate’s past actions honoring the pope, noting that the Senate declared 2020 the year of John Paul II and passed a resolution at the end of that commemorative year to express appreciation and honor for the pope.
Grodzki added that for many, figures like Lech Wałęsa, John Paul II, Ronald Reagan, and Zbigniew Brzeziński symbolize freedom, and all should be protected from abuse, including pedophiles who must be punished regardless of attire or position.
If parliament reacts to any perceived insult from any broadcaster by passing resolutions in defense of a personal reputation, Grodzki warned that it would merely produce a chorus of similar motions rather than meaningful debate.
Grodzki also commented on the war-damages resolution, saying that the State Department should formalize communications with the Secret Chancellery of the Senate as a constitutionally superior body to the State Department. He noted that contempt for senators contributed to the halt in work on this resolution and urged adherence to parliamentary procedure.
Grodzki and the Rules of the Senate
When asked whether the current session would consider these resolutions before it began, Grodzki replied that they would not, citing that the drafts had not yet progressed. He pointed to the Senate Rules, especially Rules 80 and 81, as the guiding framework. Article 80 states the first reading should not occur until at least 14 days after a bill is handed to senators, and it requires that committees be notified seven days before their first meeting. Before Grodzki addressed the press, Deputy Marshal Pęk had posted on social media that only PiS representatives favored placing the John Paul II resolution on the current agenda, labeling it a partisan stance.
Pęk later commented that the resolution was unlikely to appear at the next meeting, joking that this was democracy in the ruling party’s chambers.
On March 9, the Sejm adopted a resolution defending the good name of Saint John Paul II. The text condemned a media campaign based largely on materials linked to violence from the communist era. It referenced a program titled Franciszkanska 3 aired by TVN 24 and addressed what the Kraków Metropolitan Church knew about cases of pedophilia among priests between 1964 and 1978. The document cited statements by a Dutch journalist involved in the accompanying reportage and a book that discussed behind-the-scenes church actions. The nature of the resolution underscored the political sensitivity surrounding discussions about John Paul II and the church’s past. The public discourse continues to reflect competing views on accountability and historical memory in Poland today.
As discussions unfold, the political landscape remains sharply divided on how best to approach the legacy of John Paul II and the way Poland should address allegations and historical scrutiny. The debate captures broader questions about freedom of expression, national memory, and the responsibilities of lawmakers in handling sensitive cultural symbols. The conversation persists across parliamentary life, media narratives, and public demonstrations in the months ahead. Attribution: wPolityce