Polish Episcopal Conference parish renewal initiatives

The Polish Episcopal Conference has initiated a series of pastoral programs focused on parish renewal and faith formation.

In early September 2026, the Conference announced a synodal and missionary program for the 2026/2027 year. This initiative aims to redefine parishes as communities rather than just administrative units, emphasizing areas such as Christian initiation, liturgical prayer, and synodal management. Bishop Andrzej Czaja noted the goal is to revitalize parish life in accordance with the Synod on Synodality.

In conjunction with these efforts, the Conference issued a pastoral letter for the 16th Education Week, scheduled for September 13–19, 2026. The letter, titled ‘Where two or three are gathered in my name... Education and formation in the community of faith’, calls for a fundamental shift in parish ministry. It describes the Church as a ‘guardian’ that accompanies individuals through love, seeking to serve both committed believers and those distanced from the faith.

A central component of this vision is the reform of parish catechesis. The bishops propose that parish-based religious instruction should move away from traditional models to focus on small group meetings, dialogue, prayer, and personal testimony. This approach aims to create spaces for authentic encounters where children, youth, and adults can share personal experiences and witness faith through relationships. In proposing these changes, the bishops cited the Church in France as a successful example of effective evangelization through personal witness and media influence.