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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.
"So let us be confident, let us not be unprepared, let us not be outflanked, let us be wise, vigilant, fighting against those who are trying to tear the faith out of our souls and morality out of our hearts, so that we may remain Catholics, remain united to the Blessed Virgin Mary, remain united to the Roman Catholic Church, remain faithful children of the Church."- Abp. Lefebvre