Służba Bezpieczeństwa wobec próby założenia Klubu Inteligencji Katolickiej w Katowicach w latach 1956-1957

Abstract

Intelligentsia clubs were a social phenomenon characteristic of the Polish October in 1956. They strived to promote civil and political liberties after the period of Stalinist repression. Many of them referred to the Christian world view. The events of October 1956 led to the launch of the National Progressive Catholic Intelligentsia Club in Warsaw on the 24th of the month. Two months later a Catholic Inteligentsia Club (CIC) was established in Katowice. It was consider a branch of the Warsaw Club. Joseph Kokot, a famous lawyer, became the first chairman of the Club. Initially, the prime objective was self-development of the members by deepening religious knowledge. From the very beginning the Club was infiltrated by the communist Security Service. Information on the activities of the CIC was derived from the secret collaborators placed within the structure of the organisation. Shortly after the creation of the Club its activities were disrupted by the Security Service following instructions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Originally Catholic Intelligentsia Clubs were allowed to function as simple associations. Subsequently it was necessary to obtain formal status for the association registered under the Act of 1932. The authorities refused to grant permission to the Catholic Intelligentsia Club in Katowice due to oral objections raised by the Security Service. The refusal had political motivation as some of the ClC members had been persecuted as enemies of the state.