Znaczenie Orędzia biskupów polskich do biskupów niemieckich z 1965 r. w procesie pojednania polsko-niemieckiego. Uwagi krytyczne do artykułu Adama Wójcika opublikowanego w „Miscellanea Historico-Iuridica”, t. XX (2021) , z. 1, s. 121-136
The Significance of the 1965 Pastoral Letter (Message) of the Polish Bishops to German Bishops in the Process of Polish-German Reconciliation. Critical Remarks on the Article by Adam Wójcik Published in “Miscellanea Historico-Iuridica”, vol. XX (2021

Summary/Abstract: The Message of the Polish Bishops to their German Brothers in Christ’s Pastoral Office of 18 November 1965 is a symbol of the process of Polish-German reconciliation. Its significance, however, goes far beyond the symbolic sphere, as this document changed the mutual perceptions of Poles and Germans; built the foundations of an understanding based on values such as dialogue, truth, ands; forgiveness, and changed the narrative in Poland about their Western neighbour. Research on this document has been conducted for over 40 years and is evidenced in the abundant literature on the topic. Thanks to inquiries in foreign archives, the source database has significantly expanded in recent years, including the finding of the manuscript of the original version of the Message prepared by Archbishop Bolesław Kominek. Unfortunately, in the article devoted to the Message presented in the last issue of „Miscellanea Historico-Iuridica”, its author Adam Wójcik did not make sufficient use of the research data available in literature; therefore, the argument he presented requires serious correction and supplementation. This article presents the most important literature on the Message, errors and objections to the text by Adam Wójcik are indicated, and the importance of the Message in the process of Polish- German reconciliation is presented in a synthetic way.

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