The Civil Society Debate Club is a project that we launched together with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Poland back in February. It is meant for the young leaders of NGOs, think tanks, business, culture and science, politics, administration and the media. The Club is a platform for interesting discussions with special inspiring guests, deeply engaged in civil society and its meaning. Through this initiative, we hope to promote the idea of civil society and increasing social and civil awareness of the Polish society.

This time around, with our two guests being prominent representatives of the Catholic Church in Poland, we talked about the role the Church had had to play in defeating communist regime in Poland and the changes the Church had undergone in the 80’s. Also, the general role of the Church was discussed in terms of its impact on the welfare of modern society and democracy.

The attendees also had a chance to ask the really difficult questions: is it possible for political discourse regarding civil society to be totally separated from values? In what sense certain basic values may be a subject of concern for both, the Church and the civil society? How many and what values do modern societies need, i.e. what is the ‘moral minimum’ we need as a society? Does being highly religious foster or hamper one’s civil and social activity? What the Church should or could do to improve the state of civil society?

In this context, we also analyzed the role of the Internet in terms of strength of social initiatives, and also that of the Church’s own hierarchy in supporting such initiatives. Also, the part the Church had to play in modern politics was discussed, especially in view of creating common ground, space and platform for mutual understanding and forgiveness, as well as respect for political opponents.