Charyzmatycy czy markieranci – obraz pastorów i księży w "Dzienniku" Andrzeja Cinciały z lat 1846–1853
Charismatics or loafers? – the image of pastors and priests in Andrzej Cinciała's "Diary" from 1846–1853

Summary/Abstract: Andrzej Cinciała (1825–1898) left behind a "Diary" kept in the years 1846–1853. In his notes, kept regularly, and almost every day in the early years, we find a detailed description of the life and activities of the author and his circle of friends, including those forming the Polish national movement in Cieszyn Silesia. The journal contains many apt observations concerning everyday life, including the author’s opinions about the clergy of the time. In his "Diary", A. Cinciała lists more than 30 clergymen representing different faiths. By name he mentions twenty-two pastors, seven Catholic priests, one Greek Catholic priest and one rabbi; on several occasions he mentions meetings with other clergymen, who remain anonymous. The author, himself a Protestant, is critical of the work of Catholic priests, although he admits that some are worthy of praise. He also expresses a range of opinions about the Protestant clergy. Many priests are accused of focusing on matters of the flesh, and pastors acting also as teachers are accused of inadequate knowledge and no teaching skills. The majority are also criticised for disinterest in national matters and of preferring the German language learned at universities over the native Polish language. He also criticizes the content and style of sermons given by preachers of both faiths. He sees in some sermons such elements that give spiritual strength to the local community. Cinciała’s "Diary" is a source demonstrating (alongside other issues which are not analysed in the article) that during a certain period of time, in a local community, but not always and not by everyone, members of the clergy were seen as examples worthy of imitation, a source of support and a spiritual example.

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