Polish Orthodox Bishops Call for Protection of Religious Education in Schools

WARSAW — Bishops of the Polish Orthodox Church have called for greater protection of religious education in schools, saying it plays an important role in the development of young people. The appeal followed the autumn session of the Church’s Holy Synod, which issued a statement accompanied by a report on religious education in Poland.

“Religious education supports the growth and development of the younger generation,” the bishops said. They urged education authorities, school administrators and parents to ensure that school policies support students’ development.

This comes as changes to religious education introduced by the Polish government since 2024. Religious education remains optional under Polish law, but grades in the subject are no longer included in students’ annual grade averages. In 2025, the weekly allocation for religious instruction was reduced from two hours to one, with classes required to be scheduled at the beginning or end of the school day.

Church representatives and parents have criticized the changes, arguing that the scheduling requirements make it more difficult for students to attend, particularly those who commute to school.

Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal ruled in July 2025 that the government’s changes to religious education were unconstitutional because they were introduced without consultation with representatives of churches and religious communities.

The debate comes amid declining participation in religious education and wider declines in religious participation among young people in Poland, particularly in larger cities.

The Synod meeting also addressed the Church’s external relations and administrative and liturgical matters.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the OCA launched an effort to support Ukrainian refugees in Poland