Sacred Shadows: Unveiling Democracy’s Dance with the Divine along the Zbruch

• In Event: Poster Session: Change and Continuity in Religion and Politics & Public Administration
  In Poster Session: Poster Session: Change and Continuity in Religion and Politics

Abstract

In an attempt to explore the interaction between the Catholic Church and democratic transitions in Poland and Ukraine during the post-communist era, this comparative study delves into the nuanced impact of religious institutions on political trajectories. The paper seeks to investigate the positive interplay between organized religion and trends of democratization in these two nations. It dissects the intricate interplay between church and state, by probing into the historical, cultural, and geopolitical factors that shaped the Greek Church's involvement in Ukrainian politics and highlighting how this relationship influenced the democratization process in ways distinct from the Polish experience.
In post-communist Poland, the Latin Church emerged as a powerful catalyst for democratic change. As the nation grappled with the remnants of communist rule, the Catholic Church headed by the erstwhile Karol Wojitvtla, a native son who was profoundly influenced by the Polish experience with totalitarian ideologies, galvanized anti-communist movements and offered a moral and organizational backbone that propelled the country towards democratic ideals. The study scrutinizes pivotal moments where both the influence of the Latin Church and Wojitvlya, who leaned into the moral authority of the Papacy as John Paul II, became instrumental in fermenting democratic changes, emphasizing his role as a driving force behind societal transformation. In the case of Ukraine where the impact of the Greek Church presented a more complex dynamic, the paper investigates the divergent narratives emerging within both religious and political spheres and examines how these discursive elements helped to inform a nuanced relationship between the Church and the trajectory of democracy.
The methodology employed in this comparative analysis involves a meticulous examination of case studies. By delving into historical archives, cultural contexts, and geopolitical dynamics, the study unveils the specificities of each country's unique political experience in the interplay between religion and democratization. Interviews with key figures within the Church and political spheres contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the interwoven factors at play in the underlying mechanisms through which religious institutions influenced political evolution in Poland and Ukraine. Unraveling the divergent church-state relationships in these two former communist countries, the paper sheds light on the varied pathways to democracy particularly during the Autumn of Nations. It underscores the significance of understanding how historical legacies, cultural contexts, and geopolitical considerations shape the roles that religious institutions play in political transitions. By offering a nuanced exploration of these cases, the study contributes to a broader understanding of the intricate dynamics between religious and political forces in post-Soviet nations.

Authors

• Joe Wozniak

• Ning Liao, New Jersey City University