Emigracja polska w Niemczech na przełomie XIX i XX wieku

Abstract

The Polish nation, living long time under foreign rule, experienced the problem of emigration from their homeland. A nation needs some space for living, which is occupied by society creating a political organization called a country. The basic task of the country is the protection of national sovereignty, which includes the whole territory. An element of the territory can be found in the notion of “homeland”. The connection with the homeland has got emotional roots, is a moral order, a dogma. It is especially felt by emigrants form Poland. The reasons of emigration were various. In case of Polish nation they were political ones, like “The Great Emigration” after The November Uprising. The second reason was the emigration “for bread”. One of the biggest Polish emigrations was the one to Germany, our neighbour. The first organizations of Polish Community Abroad was created in 1890. They were to help the Poles and they were the Catholic ones. The German authorities led some increased assimilative actions of Polish people, who wanted to maintain Polish nature in the form of religion and national language. A huge role in preservation of these values was played by Polish clergy. Particularly difficult conditions were in the interwar period. Polish priesthood in Germany revived after the end of the Second World War. The Holy See appointed a personal ordinary – bishop Józef Gawina for the ministry to the Polish people in Germany and Austria. A great help in priesthood was publications of Polish Community Abroad and among them there was the publication of Fr. Dean Ignacy Rabsztyn, a priest from Czestochowa diocese.