Polish President: Freedom of religion is the foundation of our country
Andrzej Duda. Photo: Official Website of the President of the Republic of Poland
On January 15, 2025, Polish President Andrzej Duda met with representatives of churches and religious organizations, as well as national and ethnic minorities present in the country, along with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in the Republic of Poland. The meeting took place at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, as reported by Orthodoxia News Agency.
The event was attended by His Beatitude Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland, Archbishop George of Wrocław and Szczecin, and Orthodox military chaplain Fr. Andrzej Lewchak.
In his speech, President Duda emphasized that for centuries, various religious groups have coexisted on the territory of the Republic of Poland as part of a great commonwealth of many nations and religions.
Duda reminded the attendees that two years ago marked the 450th anniversary of the Warsaw Confederation, an act that introduced universal religious tolerance and equality of citizens before the law. Thus, the right to freedom of religion became a cornerstone of the Republic of Poland, and every newly elected leader was required to commit to its protection.
Notably, Poland has officially assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union, beginning its second rotational chairmanship, which will continue until the end of June.
As previously reported by the UOJ, the Polish Orthodox Church has called for prayers for peace in Ukraine.
Read also
Dumenko "blesses" SBU facility for forensic examination
The head of the OCU noted the "special role" of the Institute of Special Technology and Forensic Expertise of the SBU.
ROC head: Attempts to impose special powers of Pat. Bartholomew are sinful
Patriarch Kirill stated that the doctrine of special powers of the Patriarch of Constantinople is being imposed from outside.
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces LGBT festival near Sodom and Gomorrah
Israeli authorities are promoting a large-scale gay event at the Dead Sea on social media, which has caused criticism and bewilderment among Christians.
In Bila Tserkva, man nearly killed for greeting "Christ is risen!"
Two non-Orthodox individuals aged 19 and 23 tracked down a 35-year-old Orthodox Christian after an Easter greeting, knocked him down and inflicted several knife wounds to his abdomen and neck.
In Uganda, Islamists kill Protestant pastor after sermon
In Uganda, a Protestant church pastor who preached among Muslims was stabbed to death after a sermon.
Spanish court rules Jehovah’s Witnesses may be called a “destructive sect”
A court in Spain has upheld the right of critics of Jehovah’s Witnesses to speak openly about the group’s alleged harmfulness and danger to society.