Polish Roman Catholic Union of America
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The Polish Roman Catholic Union of America ("PRCUA") is the oldest Polish American organization in the United States. Its history spans notable periods in the development of the Polish American ethnic group, from the time of early settlement by immigrants from Poland (Poles) through their development of ethnic identity, to their dual struggles in support of Poland's independence and to find their place in American society.
At a time when many Polish Americans were disenchanted with the Irish-dominated American Catholic hierarchy, the PRCUA was a bastion of loyalty to the Church and was the largest and most important Polish Catholic loyalist organization in the United States.
The PRCUA was established in 1873. Since then, PRCUA has developed into a fraternal benefit society that performs religious, charitable, educational and civic work on behalf of its members and the Polish American Community. Members join PRCUA primarily by purchasing life insurance certificates from the organization. Members participate in activities such as folk dancing and singing, language classes, crafts, and youth festivals through local lodges. PRCUA also extends residential mortgage loans to its members.
PRCUA is the principal patron of the Polish Museum of America, the largest ethnic museum in America located in Chicago, Illinois.
The Naród Polski is the official publication of the PRCUA. It is published bimonthly and sent to all members. The articles contained in each issue are presented in English and Polish.
The organization's current National President is Wallace M. Ozog. He is serving his third four-year term after reelection at the PRCUA's National Convention at Buffalo, New York in 2006.
