The Roman Catholic Church in the history of the Polish exiled community in Britain (1939-1950)
The subject of this thesis is the role of religion in the history of the exiled Polish community, which made its way to Britain in the years 1939 to 1950. The role of religion in the life of man has been stressed by sociologists as well as by theologians and religious leaders. Religion 'is not a sort of luxury which a man could go along without, but a condition of his very existence. He could not be a man, if he had not acquired it.' (E. Durkheim - 'The social foundation of religion', Sociology of Religion, Harmondworth, 1984, p. 53). The thesis will give an account of the role and influence of the Roman Catholic faith in the life of the Polish Exiles and their Communities in the decade following the outbreak of the Second World War. It will trace their lives during the war and immediately after, in various European countries, though mainly in Britain, as also in the Soviet Union and the Middle East. All these countries were, for a certain time, places of short-term residence for the Poles, whose war ally and the last refuge after the war, became Great Britain. A substantial introduction has been added outlining the history of Poles in Britain before 1939, and the general question of their national identity.
Gula, JoÌzef
Army; Air force; Mission
The Roman Catholic Church in the history of the Polish exiled community in Britain (1939-1950). The subject of this thesis is the role of religion in the history of the exiled Polish community, which made its way to Britain in the years 1939 to 1950. The role of religion in the life of man has been stressed by sociologists as well as by theologians and religious leaders. Religion 'is not a sort of luxury which a man could go along without, but a condition of his very existence. He could not be a man, if he had not acquired it.' (E. Durkheim - 'The social foundation of religion', Sociology of Religion, Harmondworth, 1984, p. 53). The thesis will give an account of the role and influence of the Roman Catholic faith in the life of the Polish Exiles and their Communities in the decade following the outbreak of the Second World War. It will trace their lives during the war and immediately after, in various European countries, though mainly in Britain, as also in the Soviet Union and the Middle East. All these countries were, for a certain time, places of short-term residence for the Poles, whose war ally and the last refuge after the war, became Great Britain. A substantial introduction has been added outlining the history of Poles in Britain before 1939, and the general question of their national identity.
roman_catholic_church history polish exile community britain subject role religion history exile polish community make_way britain role religion life man stress sociologist well religious leader religion sort luxury man could along without condition existence could man acquire social foundation religion sociology religion give_account role influence roman_catholic faith life polish communities decade_follow outbreak second_world_war trace live war immediately various european_country though mainly britain also soviet_union middle_east country certain time_place short_term residence poles whose war ally last refuge war become great_britain substantial introduction add outline_history poles britain general question national_identity