In the case of political emigration, it was about regaining or rebuilding the Home – Homeland worthy of human life of all citizens. Even those who did not think of returning were generally not abandoned by thought and concern for the Home they had left. It was in this spirit that they lived and in this spirit they worked for the good and development of the countries in which they found hospitality. They tried to pass on such a spirit to their sons and daughters, who took over and preserved, in most cases, the patriotism of fathers and mothers, which became visible and evident especially in moments of severe crises and dangers threatening the Homeland of their origin. The merits of emigration in creating and multiplying our culture in the world and in bearing witness to Poland as it was and should be are also invaluable.
From the same spirit was also born the Polish Home in Rome, which corresponds to our historical tradition and significantly enriches the state of possession of the Polish Church in the Eternal City. We say “home” because this idea is more close and dear to us, but we know that it is about things much broader than a roof over our heads. It is about the presence of Poland and its spiritual achievements in the world. It is about presence and contact with others, the Polish spirit, Polish history and culture. We took over this culture together with faith and Baptism from Rome more than a thousand years ago. It has shaped our history and the national spirit. We are attached to the values created in the past, because they constitute our historical tradition and in them Poles – defending their identity – have always found their mainstay and source of unity and national and state identity. Christianity was not only the source of this culture and its leaven, but the Church, faithfully sharing the fate of the nation, grew closely to its existence and to its history. And, man’s openness to God did not distract him from the affairs of life on earth, but, on the contrary, was an inspiration to fight for the defense of independence, justice, and dignity of the nation and individual people. For this reason, it is legitimate to desire that this culture, enriched by its many experiences and its own achievements, be present in the Western world, to which we owe so much, to be present in the dialogue on culture and together with them be able to manifest and work out, on the basis of Christ’s Gospel, those values which enrich and perfect man, which serve his dignity and full vocation.
(Speech to Friends of the John Paul II Foundation, Vatican, June 27, 1985)
Do not cease in this good work. Papal Speeches to the John Paul II Foundation
John Paul II Foundation & Center for Documentation and Study of the Pontificate of John Paul II, Rome 2012
