Czy Kościół może przetrwać w liberalnym państwie?

Abstract

The present times reveal a growing tension between the Church and the liberal state, between the teachings of the unchanging Word of Jesus and the views of liberal societies. The different standpoints on moral issues stem from distinct anthropologies and from contrasting conceptions of man by believers and nonbelievers. The fact that the liberal state through its laws increasingly often imposes norms unacceptable to believers is indicative of the increasingly unjust character of the established “social order”. A question arises then how the Church, which is nonliberal by nature, can exist and operate to fulfil its mission in such a state. It is difficult to answer the question. Nevertheless, it is obvious that if the Church remains faithful to Christ’s teachings and continues to proclaim their unchanging character resulting from God’s revelation, the liberal state will do everything it can to silence witnesses to the faith.