"...to re-Christianize the EU.." Poland's likely next Prime Minister

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is encouraging to read this:

Poland’s likely next prime minister has called on the European Union to return to its “proper values” and traditional Christian roots.

Mateusz Morawiecki, who is expected to be confirmed as prime minister this week, said his dream was to “re-Christianise the EU” in an interview with a Catholic channel.

Poland is a “great, proud nation”, he told TV Trwam, adding that it would not submit to “blackmail” from European leaders…

To read the entire article see HERE

 

[PJH_74]

There’s .an issue with what is going on politically within Poland. Catholicism is being hijacked by nationalistic politics some allied with militant, anti-Islamic, anti-refugee types. Others are anti-EU and/or pro-Russian. I sorely doubt what’s going on in Poland will meaningfully spread within the EU. I’d be aware of anything within these and how it reflects other Catholics.

 

[BartholomewB]

A Polish prime minister is going to rechristianize Europe?
I’ll believe it when I see it.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear PJH,

Thanks for your reply. These are critical times, it seems to me, for every country, and especially for Catholics everywhere. Each morning, my husband and I pray for Clergy and People in the Church that we may all remain faithful to, and remain in, God’s Love.

When Pope St. John Paul II made his first visit back to Poland after being elected Pope, he gave a truly inspired speech to his people. I saw a video if it, and was so impressed, I’ve never forgotten his words to his fellow Poles. This is not an exact quote but hopefully it’s close enough – anyone else who heard the same speech may want to post it more exactly on this thread – for the record! .

The Polish Pope said to his brothers and sisters in Christ:

“Don’t let let them tell you who you are – I have come to remind you of who you are!”
Of course, he was speaking to the people under the thumb of Communist leaders yet, the Pope was unafraid and spoke directly to the hearts of courageous and loyal Catholic Poles.

May this new Prime Minister be a man of courage and deep faith and speak God’s Truth from his heart as Pope St. John Paul II did.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear BartholomewB,

Thanks for your reply – and I hope you read my reply to PJH_74, concerning Pope St. John Paul II, also. He was a Polish Pope who did more than many would have thought possible to bring Christ to Europe and to all the countries of the World.

Pope St. John Paul II was a man of prayer, and I hope this new Prime Minister is also a man of prayer who knows in the depths of his heart that without God he can do nothing (cf Jn 15). Let us all pray for a “re-Christianizing” of our own countries. Let us pray fervently for God’s Truth to permeate our culture transforming us to end the culture of death in sin, and embrace a culture of Life in Christ.

May God help this new Prime Minister to love God’s Truth and do the Truth lovingly for his people and for all those whom he may influence, just as St. John Paul II was able to do with God’s Grace.

 

[BartholomewB]

Yes, Maria, but a pope is a pope and a prime minister is only a prime minister. My impression is that Europe is now beyond rechristianizing, at least by politicians, however well-intentioned they may be.

 

[MariaChristi]

Ah but, consider St. Thomas More, dear Bartholomew. He was in politics and though he was martyred for his faith, yet he glorified God in his death. Saints give glory to God and while the world may see them as “failures” they are far from failures. The seed of the Church is the blood of the martyrs.

This Prime Minister may engender hope, and courage for Catholics who may be looking for an example to follow. I do not believe any person is beyond redemption, nor any country beyond returning to its Christian roots – because nothing is impossible with God.

This is supposed to be the “Age of the Laity” or some similar phrase was used, after Vatican II, i.e. it is a time when Catholics need to recognize the truth that ALL are called to holiness. In times past, we thought only nuns and priests were “serious” about holiness. They were the “real saints” so many thought. Vocation generally was interpreted as a Priestly or Religious Vocation, but all of us: lay men, women, and children as well as clergy and religious need to become truer followers of Christ than ever before in this world of darkness.

 

[PJH_74]

When Pope St. John Paul II made his first visit back to Poland after being elected Pope, he gave a truly inspired speech to his people.

I appreciate your faith. There are important differences to the world St. JPII came back to in Poland. Mind you that the Poland of the time was officially Atheist and there was a burgeoning faith based movement to overthrow or have the government ease up. The movement of this time caused an opening up of Poland to the outside world. I fear that the current situation in Poland will continue to look in on itself and result in not so Christian activities. In short, just because it says Catholic doesn’t mean it’s good.

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks, dear PJH:

I appreciate your observations on the Poland of today. I agree that “just because it says Catholic doesn’t mean it’s good”. However, my faith is not in the “city of man” but rather in the “City of God” as St. Augustine contrasted those who seek to glorify self to the contempt of God, and those who seek to glorify God to the contempt of self.

The times we live in are critical and very dark, but God may yet give us time to renew. again. Faith, hope, and charity, these three, and the greatest of these is Charity. While we have time, it seems to me, we need to encourage one another in Christ. This season of Advent is a time of “waiting” and “preparing”. No one knows the day or the hour when the Final Coming of Christ will dawn, but He comes everyday in different ways.

I do not know much about Poland except what I’ve read recently. I pray that this PM and the people of Poland will do as God would have them do. May all the countries of the world turn toward God and earnestly seek Him as the wise men of old. May we all find Him as they found Him, with His Mother.