The Episcopate's request primarily concerns the regulation issued by Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka on July 26, 2024, which changes the organization of religion classes in schools. The provisions of this regulation are set to take effect with the start of the school year on September 1, 2024.
According to the new regulations, school principals will be allowed to merge into one group children from grades or classes where seven or more students have registered for religion classes with those from grades or classes where fewer than seven students have registered. In the case of primary schools, these groups can include students from grades I-III, grades IV-VI, or grades VII and VIII.
Episcopate Furious at Nowacka Over Religion in Schools: A Complaint Filed with the Supreme Court
The steps taken were announced during a Thursday conference by Fr. Leszek Gęsiak, spokesperson for the Polish Episcopate. He stated that, in the opinion of the presidium, the matter concerns a significant public interest, namely "values such as legislative correctness, protection of work, the right of parents to raise their children according to their own beliefs, and the right of children and youth to age-appropriate upbringing and care."
The Episcopate believes that the issued regulation may be inconsistent with the concordat, educational law, and the constitution. Fr. Leszek Gęsiak pointed out that Article 12, paragraph 2 of the Education System Act requires the Minister of Education, when issuing a regulation related to the organization of religious education, to act "in consultation with the authorities of the Catholic Church, the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church, and other churches and religious associations."
Episcopate: The Regulation on Religion Classes "Extremely" Violates the Principle of Protecting Citizens' Trust in the State
Fr. Gęsiak further assessed that the regulation "extremely violates the principle of protecting citizens' trust in the state and its laws" and the principles of labor protection. He referred to the situation of lay catechists, emphasizing that none of the provisions ensure job stability for religion teachers and that no transitional provision was formulated to allow them to adapt to the new situation.
According to the Episcopate, teaching religion in inter-class groups also violates the rights of children and youth to education appropriate to their age and level of development. It was also pointed out that the subject should be conducted in accordance with the curriculum developed by church authorities. "Teaching in inter-class groups by its nature will be conducted differently than planned in the programs developed by the competent church authorities," said Fr. Gęsiak.
