Rok 1950 – czas porozumienia, czy przełomu? Z dziejów Kościoła na Białostocczyźnie
The Year 1950 – Time of Agreement or Change? A Part of the History of the Church in the Białystok Region

Summary/Abstract: In April 1950 the so-called “Porozumienie” (“Agreement”) was signed between the Polish Government and the representatives of the Church of Poland. It guaranteed the freedom of the profession of religion and the freedom of the activity of the Church in Poland. But all of the actions of the communist authorities in Poland in 1950 seemed to be contrary to the signed agreement. The government took over the properties of “Caritas”, took over its name and nationalized the organization. In the organization: “Związek Bojowników o Wolność i Demokrację” (“Union of Fighters for Freedom and Democracy”) were instituted groups of “priests-patriots”, who gave support to the social changes in Poland. The Church was harassed by the functionaries of the Office for Religious Affairs and the Office of Security. Church property was confiscated and underwent nationalization. The issue of the political boundaries remained unresolved, as also the Church structures on the territories belonging to the “Ziemie Odzyskane” and on the territories in the east. The Stockholm Appeal became an occasion to verify the teaching personnel, as also catechists. Many priests were could no longer teach in schools, the ministry of chaplains in state institutions was forbidden. The year 1950 was supposed to be a year of agreement, as it was presented in the socialist media, but in practice it was a year of intense struggle with the Church.

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