Jezuici i ich udział w katolickiej reformie kościelnej na Śląsku Cieszyńskim w XVII i XVIII wieku

Abstract

The Reformation in Cieszyn Silesia greatly weakened the religious and administrative vitality of the Roman Catholic Church. After the Thirty Years War and the pacification of the country a Catholic reaction began; it was started by the political authorities and was based on the provisions of the peace treaty. A Religious Commission was formed in 1653 to restore denominational unity in the Duchy of Cieszyn. Its main task was to reclaim and secure all the churches and chapels still in Protestant hands. When it became dear that the Commission’s actions were not producing adequate results, the Catholic nobility suggested bringing the Jesuits to Cieszyn. The first two Jesuits arrived in Cieszyn in September 1670.The Jesuits were unable to extend their ministry to localities remote from the parish centres, i.e. first of all to mountainside villages. Therefore, they decided to set up a separate mission for those outlying areas. Swayed by the Jesuits, the Catholic estates addressed a request to Bishop Franciszek Ludwik to appoint a suitable missionary. He appointed Leopold Tempes, a zealous Jesuit, who contributed greatly to religious revival in Cieszyn Silesia.