Polish bishops raise questions over European convention

In a statement, the Presidium of the Polish Episcopate says that the bishops support the protection of women against violence but are critical of the ideological premises on which the convention is based.

“The sources of violence against women should not be looked for in religion, tradition and culture,” the statement stresses, adding that the Council of Europe document ignores the natural differences between women and men and claims that a person’s gender is a matter of choice.

In the Convention, gender is defined as “the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for women and men.”

Polish bishops are also concerned about the document’s provisions on the duty to promote the so-called ‘non-stereotype gender roles’, in other words – homosexuality and transsexuality.

The bishops’ statement says that blending the legitimate idea of counteracting violence with attempts to interfere into the educational system and the values cherished by millions of Polish parents is an alarming signal.

Polish bishops also say that contrary to earlier pledges, Prime Minister Donald Tusk had consulted the convention only with a group of women of leftist views.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Jarosław Gowin told the Catholic Information Agency that in the opinion of the ministry’s experts, the threats outlined in the bishops’ statement are of a real character. (mk/jb)