Religion in Poland

     Because of the Holocaust and the post-World War II flight and expulsion of German and Ukrainian populations, Poland has become almost uniformly Roman Catholic. Most Poles—approximately 88,4% are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Though rates of religious observance (with 38 % Sunday mass attendance) are currently lower than they have been in the past, Poland remains one of the most devoutly religious countries in Europe.
 
     Religious minorities include Polish Orthodox (about 507 000), various Protestants (about 150 000), Jehovah's Witnesses (126 000), Eastern Catholics, Mariavites, Polish Catholics, Jews, and Muslims (including the Tatars of Białystok).

     Members of Protestant churches include about 77,500 in the largest Evangelical-Augsburg Church, and a similar number in smaller Pentecostal and Evangelical churches.

     Freedom of religion is now guaranteed by the 1989 statute of the Polish constitution, enabling the emergence of additional denominations. However, due to pressure from the Polish Episcopate, the exposition of doctrine has entered the public education system as well. According to a 2007 survey, 72% of respondents were not opposed to religious instruction in public schools; alternative courses in ethics are available only in one percent of the entire public educational system.

Crucified Jesus Christ with apostols