STEFAN WYSZYŃSKI AND JÓZEF TISCHNER – A HIDDEN DIALOGUE ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT POLISH MATTERS

Abstract

Stefan Wyszyński and Józef Tischner are two outstanding representatives of the Polish Catholic thought in the twentieth century. They were active in various fields. As the Primate of Poland, Wyszyński carried the burden of responsibility for the fate of the entire Polish Church in exceptionally difficult times of programmatic process of atheization and domination of anti-church propaganda, which is why he developed the virtues of a statesman and thought in terms of a national evangelization strategy. Tischner worked primarily in two areas: as a philosopher and as a priest, and his expertise and interests were related to philosophy, which is „born of pain”, wants to express that pain and tries to remedy it. He applied his deep and original philosophical sense to his daily pastoral work, with impressive results. Despite this difference in scope and style, they both exerted an enormous influence on the spiritual and intellectual shape of Polish Catholicism. Although they never met in person or had the opportunity to work together, it can be said that their educational and intellectual work created a kind of „hidden dialogue” in the Polish public space. The most important aspects and fruits of that dialogue are presented in this article.