Most residents of Poland adhere to the Christian faith, with 89.8% belonging to the Roman Catholic Church.[1] Catholicism plays an important role in the lives of many Poles and the Roman Catholic Church in Poland enjoys social prestige and political influence.[2] The Church is widely respected by its members, who see it as a symbol of Polish heritage and culture.[3] The rest of the population consists mainly of Eastern Orthodox (about 506,000 believers, mainly Polish Belarussians[4]), Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland (about 85,000) and various Protestant (about 250,000, with about 130,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in the largest religious minorities.[5][6]
According to the most recent Eurobarometer Poll 2005:[7]
According to the most recent CBOS opinion poll published in the fall of 2008:[8]
From the beginning of its statehood, rulers of Poland were supporting religious minorities. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Poland was famous for its unique religious tolerance (see Statute of Kalisz (1264) and Warsaw Confederation (1573)).
However in the 15th and 18th century, pressure from the Catholic Church caused tensions to rise between Catholics and Protestants after the Edict of Wieluń and later the Tumult of Torun contributing to the Age of Enlightenment.
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According to Poland's Constitution freedom of religion is ensured to everyone. It also allows for national and ethnic minorities to have the right to establish educational and cultural institutions, institutions designed to protect religious identity, as well as to participate in the resolution of matters connected with their cultural identity.
Religious organizations in the Republic of Poland can register their institution with the Ministry of Interior and Administration creating a record of churches and other religious organizations who operate under separate Polish laws. This registration is not necessary; however, it is beneficial when it comes to serving the freedom of religious practice laws.
| Denomination | Members | Leadership |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic Church in Poland[9] • Roman Catholic • Byzantine-Ukrainian • Armenian |
33,550,000 | • Józef Kowalczyk, Prymas of Poland • Józef Michalik, Chairman of Polish Episcopate • Celestino Migliore, Apostolic Nuncio to Poland • Jan Martyniuk, Archbishop Metropolite of Byzantine-Ukrainian Rite |
| Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church | 506,000 | Metropolitan of Warsaw Sawa |
| Jehovah's Witnesses in Poland | 126,488[10] | Warszawska 14,Pl-05830 Nadarzyn |
| Evangelical-Augsburg Church in Poland | 100,000 | Bishop Fr. Jerzy Samiec |
| Old Catholic Mariavite Church in Poland | 23,300 | Chief Bishop Fr. Michał Maria Ludwik Jabłoński |
| Pentecostal Church in Poland | 21,200 | Bishop Fr. Marek Kamiński |
| Polish Catholic Church | 18,900 | Bishop Wiktor Wysoczański |
| Seventh-day Adventist Church in Poland | 9,600 | Fr. Paweł Lazar, President of the Church |
| Christian Baptist Church in Poland • Baptist Union of Poland |
6,500 | President of the Church : Gustaw Cieślar |
| Islamic Religious Union in Poland | 5,100 | President of the Supreme Muslim College Stefan Korycki |
| Evangelical Methodist Church in Poland | 4,460 | Ruler of the Church, Bishop Edward Puślecki |
| Evangelical Reformed Church in Poland | 3,500 | President consistory Dr. Witold Brodziński |
| Catholic Mariavite Church in Poland | 2,150 | Bishop Damiana Maria Beatrycze Szulgowicz |
| Union of Jewish Confessional Communities in Poland | 1,222 | • President of the Main Board Piotr Kadlcik • Chief rabbi of Poland Michael Schudrich |
There are roughly 125 other minor religions registered in Poland.[9]
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