Organizacja i przebieg I i II Synodu na ziemi sandomierskiej

Abstract

When Pope Pius VII erected the diocese, Poland was partitioned, and the partitioners did not accepted conducting the diocesan Synod. The first synod of the diocese took place in 1923, when the situation in the country allowed it. The purpose of this synod was to specify particular Church Law. The post-war period was characterized by numerous problems, among which the issue of relations with the communist authorities was at the forefront. They tried to influence the Church and claimed the right to approve priests for pastoral posts. They also removed religion from schools, and took part in church buildings. The activities of religious associations were forbidden. Religious life has centred around churches in such a difficult situation. Sacraments were performed here and the ministry of teaching was carried out. The catechization of children and youth took place in parish rooms (rented garages, barracks or rooms). The pre-marital catechesis was gradually spread. On 21st November 1996, Bishop Wacław Świerzawski convened the Second Synod of the Diocese of Sandomierz. In December of the same year, individual synod commissions began to work. Most of them were divided into subcommittees, which the Commission for Church Structures divided into sections. Issues were assigned to be elaborated by individual sub-commissions and sections. They started with studying the relevant Council documents, papal documents, norms of common and particular law of the Diocese of Sandomierz, Przemyśl, Lublin and Tarnów. The work on Synodal legislation lasted until 16th April 1999, when they gathered for the last, fifth plenary session of the Synod.