Tomasz Terlikowski criticizes Polish Episcopate over religious education strategy

Journalist Tomasz Terlikowski has criticized the leadership of the Conference of the Polish Episcopate (KEP), arguing that the Church lacks a concrete strategy for the future. His critique follows a KEP statement titled ‘Young people deserve more,’ signed by Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, Archbishop Józef Kupno, and Bishop Marek Marczak.

Terlikowski contends that while the bishops are defending parental rights and the role of religion in schools against changes proposed by the Ministry of National Education, they are merely repeating old arguments without providing legal tools or organizational plans for catechists and families.

The dispute centers on several administrative changes to religious education, including reducing classes to one hour per week, placing religion at the beginning or end of the school day, combining classes, and removing religious grades from student averages. The KEP argues these measures marginalize religious instruction, while Terlikowski suggests the Church needs more than just formal letters to maintain its credibility and influence.