Duties to the nation and the state in the teaching of Blessed Primate Stefan Wyszyński

Abstract

In the social teaching of Blessed Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński, the dominant issue is that of the nation and the state, and the obligations that lie with the national community and the citizens of the state. Among the most important duties to the nation, according to Primate Wyszynski, are: – strengthening social ties, overcoming deep divisions, antagonisms, and hostilities. The Primate shows that a Christian should be characterized by love in social life while the Church should unite the nation; – taking care of the family, which, according to the Primate of the Millennium, is "the Polish raison d'etat”; – defending the lives of unborn children; – preserving cultural sovereignty, and above all, Polish identity, expressed in the knowledge and love of Polish history, literature, art and also Christian heritage. As the most important duties towards the state, Blessed Primate Wyszyński indicates the need to recognize the state as a common good, the formation of a civic, subjective attitude while overcoming the attitude of selfishness, as well as taking joint responsibility for the functioning of the state.