Ewangelickie Duszpasterstwo Wojskowe w Polsce w latach 1995-2010 - aspekty prawno-organizacyjne

Abstract

One of the basic responsibilities of the authorities in a democratic state is to protect the society from an outside aggression. Out of that responsibility comes the duty of maintaining armed forces. People serving in those formations have the right to freedom of conscience and religion, just as other citizens. Military pastors and priests fill the basic role in ensuring this right is in place. There are three military pastoral ministries operating in Polish Armed Forces representing three main Christian denominations: The Polish Military Field Catholic Ordinariate, The Polish Military Field Orthodox Ordinariate and The Evangelical Military Pastoral Ministry (EMPM). This article presents legal and organizational aspect of EMPM as an institution established under The Relations Between State and Lutheran Church in The Republic of Poland Act and serving Lutherans and Protestants of other denominations. Article presents tradition of evangelical pastoral ministry in Polish Military since the time of reclamation of independence in 1918 and its resumption after 1989. It contains detail information regarding this organizational structure’s primary forms of activity.