Polonia semper fidelis? National Mythology, Religion and Politics in Poland

Abstract

This article is devoted to the national mythology of Poland, - in particular, to the myth of Polonia semper fidelis, the central myth of national identity. According to this mythology, Poland is essentially and eternally Catholic, it is martyred for the sins of the world but resurrected for its salvation. The author traces the history of this myth since 17th century till nowadays. Then one can find analysis of myth’s transformations in Post-Communist period, in particular, in the context of debates about the place of Catholicism and Catholic Church in politics and public sphere. The author shows how this myth divides the Polish society, which leads to a series of conflicts and culture wars between religious conservatives and proponents of secular choice for Poland. In particular, the author analyzes “wars of the cross” after Smolensk plane crash in 2010, phenomenon of “Radio Maria” and the so-called “mohair berets”, emergence of new antireligious political forces (“The Palikot Movement”). Article concludes that the myth of Catholic Poland continues to play an important role in the life of the state, but at the same time it becomes more and more a dividing factor which weakens civil society.