Polish Sejm debates religious education – proposed legislation receives broad support

On Friday, the Polish parliament decided to continue deliberating on a bill originating from a citizens' initiative that aims to reintroduce two hours of religious or ethics instruction per week in schools. This was reported by the Katholisch.de portal.

The proposal is a response to the recent halving of religious instruction, which was sharply criticized by church and conservative circles. Despite opposition from the ruling Lewica party, some members of the government camp, including Parliament President Szymon Hołownia, also voted in favor of further consideration of the bill.

The Association of Lay Catechists and the Ordo Iuris organization collected over half a million signatures in support of the initiative. The initiators emphasize that it is a matter of freedom of choice and not coercion.

The Ministry of Education rejects the proposal. It sees it as an infringement of parental rights and criticizes the attempt to make religion a compulsory subject. Polish bishops described the restriction of religious education as an unprecedented violation of laws that have been in force since the end of communism.

(mja)