The process of suburbanisation and the formation of new parishes. The example of Poznań agglomeration

The process of suburbanization has been recently one of the main topics discussed by geographers as well as other scholars from disciplines interested in urban issues. As people and companies relocate to the suburbs, it becomes necessary to supply new roads, schools, shops and many other facilities. Sometimes suburbanisation also leads  to the construction of new churches, especially in Poland, where a large part of the society still actively participates in the religious practices of the Roman Catholic Church. The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the process of suburbanisation and the formation of new catholic parishes using the case of Poznań  agglomeration in which suburbanisation processes have been particularly intensive in the last years. Results show that a significant number of new parishes were grounded in the city of Poznań and its suburbs in the period between 1990 and 2013, and that the formation of some of these parishes can be attributed to the process of  suburbanisation. The paper also contains a discussion of arguments for and against the formation of new parishes in the suburbs. It has been argued by some that large urban parishes can better respond to spiritual needs of people than small suburban parishes, and that the construction of new churches in the times of crisis should be avoided in favour of charity. On the other hand, spatial proximity of the church is very likely an important factor for many persons, so every case should be considered separately. Since the process of suburbanisation in Poznań agglomeration will definitely continue in the coming years, the formation of new catholic parishes in the suburbs is also likely to take place.

Pilgrimages to Piekary Śląskie in the years 1946–1947 in the light of circulars of the Diocesan Curia in Katowice

The article presents the history of male pilgrimages to the sanctuary in Piekary Śląskie in the years 1946–1947. The men’s pilgrimage to Piekary Śląskie is one of the most important and characteristic of this religious centre. Its origins date back to 1946. The author discusses the circulars issued by the Diocesan Curia in Katowice concerning the organization and conduct of these pilgrimages, and presents their socio-political context. He analyses the content of the watchwords accompanying pilgrimages in various years to recognize and fathom the meaning of the messages flowing from this place in the politically difficult times of Communist Rule. It highlights the integration and social role of pilgrimages to Piekary Śląskie, the care of Silesian bishops for the revival of the pilgrimage movement and the shaping of proper religious and social attitudes of the faithful.

The religious aspect in Bohemian-Spanish relations in the Middle Ages

In a geographical and cultural sense, relations between Bohemia and Spain in the Middle Ages were relations between the eastern periphery of the West and the western periphery of the East. About half of the contacts in the whole of Bohemian- -Spanish relations were based on religious motives. The aim of the article is to present the religious aspect in Bohemian-Spanish relations in the Middle Ages. The main motive for Spaniards travelling to Bohemia was the fight against the Hussites. The participation of Spaniards in this struggle was to a lesser extent armed, and rather more ideological.
Documented, direct and strictly religious Bohemian-Spanish contacts, date back to the late Middle Ages. The dominant motive of journeys from Bohemia to Spain was the cult of St. James the Greater of Compostela. Allegations regarding possible pilgrimages of the Bohemians to the apostle’s grave have been known since the 12th century, but unquestionable evidence comes only from the second half of the 14th century. The highest number of pilgrimages is recorded in the sources from the end of the 14th century and the beginning of the 15th century, especially in the safe conducts of the chancellery of Aragon. In addition to the isolated case of Prokop the Great – the then representative
of the patrician family from Prague, Silesian dukes from the Přemyslid and Piast dynasties, and several other representatives of Bohemian and Moravian nobles, went down in the history of Spain.