07-17-2025, 07:38 AM
Half of Polish Priests Say They Were Attacked Last Year
gloria.tv | July 16, 2025
A recent survey by the Church's Institute of Statistics (ISKK) has revealed a concerning increase in violence against priests in Poland (Zenit.org, 14 July). Based on 996 responses, the findings show that almost half of the clergy surveyed (49.7%) had experienced some form of aggression in the previous 12 months.
- 41.6% faced verbal abuse (threats and name-calling)
- 33.6 % experienced online harassment
- 19% had aggression directed towards church properties
- 10.8% reported physical or property damage.
The survey indicates that most incidents go unreported. Over 80% of priests did not file formal reports, often because they did not consider the incidents to be serious enough, or because they lacked trust in the authorities.