„Anticlerical” Propaganda in the Press of Western Pomerania up to 1956. History of the Fight of the Communist Authorities against the Catholic Church in Poland Cover Image

Propaganda „antyklerykalna” na łamach prasy Pomorza Zachodniego do 1956 roku. Z dziejów walki władzy komunistycznej z Kościołem katolickim w Polsce
„Anticlerical” Propaganda in the Press of Western Pomerania up to 1956. History of the Fight of the Communist Authorities against the Catholic Church in Poland

Author(s): Adam Andrzej Urbanowicz
Subject(s): Post-War period (1950 - 1989)
Published by: Akademia im. Jakuba z Paradyża
Keywords: Press; Propaganda; Pomerania

Summary/Abstract: In years 1945-1956 in subsequent political and propaganda campaigns thecommunist press tried to undermine the authority of the Catholic clergy in the society.The article presents the involvement of the local West Pomeranian press in suchcampaigns. It points out that during the subsequent campaigns this press tried to provethat the criticism of the clergy was not the fight against the religion. It was constantly emphasised that the Catholic faith enjoyed full freedom in the People’s Republicof Poland. The charge of lack of patriotism and subordination to directives from Vaticanwas levelled against the Church hierarchy and the part of the ordinary clergy. The HolySee was presented as the enemy of the Polish state and nation and as the ally of German revisionists challenging the Polish western border. In 1953 the authorities consideredthe Primate Stefan Wyszyński as their main opponent in the country.

  • Issue Year: 14/2016
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 145-159
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Polish