Prime Minister Beata Syzdlo Argues Against Immigration and Catholic Rights

Poland wants to avoid the ‘ideological censorship’ of Christian traditions in the European Union, according to Prime Minister Beata Szydlo. Speaking at a conference organized by the Polish Institute of International Affairs, Szydlo emphasized her party’s opposition to Muslim immigration.

Rejection of Refugees

Poland, along with Hungary, has refused to absorb its quota of refugees who have come to Europe since 2015, arguing that Muslim immigrants pose a threat to their national security and stability.

In her foreign policy speech that marked the midpoint of the parliamentary term, the Polish PM said that European Christians need not feel uncomfortable or ashamed about their faith and traditions. “We are in favor of (an EU) where Christian traditions are not subject to ideological censorship,” Szydlo told the conference.

Pope John Paul II Sculpture

She also said that Poland will bring a sculpture of Pope John Paul II to the country, to prevent it from being taken down in north-western France. She added that the move would require authorization from French authorities. The late Pope was of course born in Poland.

Szydlo’s suggestion followed the decision by a top French court ordering the removal of a cross in Ploërmel, a commune in north-western France. The court ruled that the cross was in violation of the principle of separation of church and state.

Szydlo spoke of the former pontiff, saying, “Our great Pole, a great European, is a symbol of a Christian, united Europe. The dictate of political correctness – secularisation of the state – makes room for values which are alien to our culture, which leads to terrorizing Europeans in their everyday life.”

Ploërmel’s authorities were given six months to remove the cross from the monument, although French newspaper Le Figaro wrote that their Mayor Patrick Le Diffon may resolve the issue by reclassifying the area where the monument stands, so it is no longer formally considered a “public place.”

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