Historyczne tło konfliktu polskiego duchowieństwa i świeckich w wieku XVI. Na podstawie „Rozmów Dworzanina z Mnichem” Marcina Kromera

Abstract

The Krakow canon, Rev. Marcin Kromer (1512-1589) in the years 1551-1554 wrote a book entitled „Conversations Between a Courtier and a Monk”. The work is a credible report of the historical struggle between the clergy and the noblemen for the future form of the Church in Poland, as well as of the Polish state. Struggles on the religious field overlapped the earlier animosities between the clergy on the one hand and the noblemen and courtiers on the other; animosities that had different sources. The author of the discussed text was convinced about the revealed, indisputable and indivisible truth deposited in the Catholic Church, and he tried to give the readers intelligible arguments. In the present article only the social-political controversies are selected from the web of various charges and accusations brought by the two social classes. The clergy charged the noblemen with physical violence and abuses, abolishing monasteries and parishes, destroying holy pictures and figures of saints. Kromer reproached the noblemen about imitating foreign novelties and about uncritical admiration and acceptance of anything that came from the West. He blamed them for oppressing the lower classes, extravagance and wasting their estates, for drunkenness, living beyond their means, brawling and effeminacy. He upbraided them for not thinking about their country and opposition to the king’s strong authority. In turn, the noblemen reproached the clergy for leading a life that was far from the ideals of Gospel. One of the alleged faults was not practicing celibacy. Another charge was a lack of priestly zeal and making the wrong use of church preferments. Canon Kromer’s work was a realization of the recommendation given by the Krakow cathedral Chapter about offering a decided opposition to anti-Church movements and ones connected with the Reformation. It also became part of the reform of the Church carried out in Poland according to the directive of the Trent Council. Also, Kromer’s work is a magnificent specimen of Polish culture of the 16th century.