Still a key political actor?: The Catholic Church and politics in post-1989 Poland

Catholicism was uniquely linked with Polish national identity and historically the Church performed both religious and political functions. In the post-communist period, it has been a powerful political actor setting the terms of debate and influencing policy making. This paper article examines at how public attitudes towards the Church have developed since the collapse of communism in 1989. It examines the nature, depth, and sources of the apparent anti-clerical backlash, and the concomitant process of ‘privatisation’ of religion and religious practice and faith. It considers the most important controversies surrounding the Church which commentators argue have contributed significantly to these processes.