From „Catholic Red Banners” to the Christian Social Association. The Evolution of the Understanding of the Socio-Political Tasks of Catholicism in the Political Reflection of Jan Frankowski (1912–1976)

Abstract

One of the most important elements of the political thought of the Polish Catholic activist, Jan Frankowski, was a reflection on the social and economic tasks of Catholicism in the modern world. However, it depended on the volatile political conditions. In the Second Polish Republic, Frankowski, cooperating with the „young conservatives” movement, called for the renewal of the Church and increase in the activity of the laity. They were to replace, in respect of many issues, the listless clergy, seeking and finding the answer to the question regarding the new Catholic thought in the era of atheist totalitarianisms. He, himself, believed that it cannot be found in slogans: corporatism and solidarity, but it should be sought in the creative interpretation of the papal encyclicals in accordance with the „third way” and personalism. However, his thought was rather „against” certain elements than „in support” of other, he tried to pave the way for new ideas.

During the Second World War, Frankowski was cooperating with „Unia” Catholic group, but as early as in 1944, he commenced cooperation with communist authorities. Despite the fact that he distanced himself from many aspects of operation of „Dziś i Jutro” group and „PAX” Association, he cooperated with them, trying to, unsuccessfully, adjust the „third way” to the new conditions. In 1956, he left „PAX”. However, he opposed the concept of „nonpartisan democratic left”, causing the split of „Za i Przeciw” weekly group and creating the Christian Social Association. It was, in general, a group with no ideology, based on the cooperation with authorities and the guarantee of basic rights of Church in Poland.

Not only did Frankowski not succeed as a creator of great concepts, but he also did not achieved much as a politician with limited ambitions. In 1968, he lost the position of the chairperson of the Christian Social Association. He died 8 years later as an almost completely forgotten activist. This situation resulted also from his decision to discontinue bold ideological reflections.