Bishop Andrzej Jeż, delegate of the Polish Bishops’ Conference for the pastoral care of local government officials and local administration employees, issued a message of support to Polish municipalities and cities facing what he described as “pressure to register foreign same-sex unions.” The bishop expressed solidarity with local officials who oppose introducing such procedures in offices under their authority.
The statement was issued on Wednesday, which marks Local Government Day in Poland. The bishop addressed representatives of local authorities directly.
“There are higher values”
“Court rulings and new administrative guidelines place you — as leaders of our cities and municipalities and heads of local administration — before a very difficult choice between technically implementing imposed interpretations and remaining faithful to a righteous conscience and the Polish constitutional order. At this special time, I would like to express words of appreciation, solidarity, and spiritual support to those local government officials who have courageously declared that they will not allow procedures undermining the identity of marriage and family in offices under their supervision.
Your public opposition and your protection of subordinate employees from actions contrary to the Polish legal order constitute a much-needed testimony. It shows that there are higher values which cannot be sacrificed for the sake of convenience or under external pressure. You stand on the foundation of the supreme law of the Republic of Poland. In accordance with the fundamental constitutional principle and the unequivocal rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal, the Constitution of the Republic of Poland holds absolute primacy over European and international law,” the statement reads.
The bishop also recalled the words of John Paul II, who warned that “history teaches that democracy without values easily turns into open or thinly disguised totalitarianism.” He argued that the stance taken by the local officials in question protects local communities from precisely such a loss of moral and legal foundations.
“You are not alone”
“I assure you that in your faithful stance, you are not alone. The Church — together with countless people of good will — surrounds you with prayer and full support. Through the intercession of Our Lady of Częstochowa, Saint Kinga, and Saint Thomas More — patron of statesmen and politicians, who gave his life for fidelity to a righteous conscience — I ask God for courage, wisdom, and strength for you.
May your steadfastness serve as a testimony and a reminder that ‘the greatest wealth of a nation is purity of heart, unity, and fidelity to the Gospel’ (Act of Consecration), which also forms the foundation upon which the moral strength of our local homelands rests,” Bishop Jeż told local government officials.
Some local officials in Poland have announced that they intend to refuse the registration of foreign marriage certificates involving same-sex couples. Among those who publicly declared such a position is the mayor of Zakopane.