ŚRODOWISKO „TYGODNIKA POWSZECHNEGO” WOBEC DEMOKRACJI, LIBERALIZMU I KAPITALIZMU PO 1989 ROKU

In 1989 some representatives of „Tygodnik Powszechny” participated in the „Round Table” proceedings. The first non-Communist Prime Minister of Poland, Tadeusz Mazowiecki, was closely related to the „Więź” magazine. Krzysztof Kozłowski and Henryk Woźniakowski – the editors of „Tygodnik Powszechny” were included in Mazowiecki’s cabinet. „Tygodnik Powszechny” enjoyed a high status in Polish society, both in the Polish People’s Republic period and afterwards. After Karol Wojtyła had been elected Pope, the magazine became the most influential representative of the Catholic press in Poland. It has always been known not only for the high standard Catholic publications but also for its openness to a variety of authors representing liberal trends. The issue of relations between the Catholic Church and liberal democracy and capitalism were often touched on in Tygodnik Powszechny after 1989. The most important point of reference was usually John Paul II’s encyclicals „Centesimus annus”, „Veritatis splendor” and „Evangelium vitae”. „Tygodnik Powszechny” is representative of the trend in Polish Catholicism which used to be closely connected with John Paul II, arousing much interest abroad. This particular trend within Polish Catholicism is said to be non-nationalist and antitotalitarian. It subscribes to a pluralistic system of values. However, as much as the „Tygodnik Powszechny” milieu is supportive of an open Catholicism and of a liberal orientation, it never gives up an issue of Polish Catholic specificity.