10 February 2023 | Warsaw, Poland [Daniel Kluska with tedNEWS]
“We meet each other with kindness, with a handshake. This is what builds the strength of our country and our community,” said Poland’s president, Andrzej Duda, during a meeting of representatives from all major churches, religious associations, and including ethnic minorities present in Poland. Pastor Ryszard Jankowski, president of the Polish Union Conference, was among the invitees at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.
During his address, president Duda took time to thank the leaders, and the churches they represent, for their help and commitment in assisting Ukrainian refugees. “The fact that we look at each other with kindness, and with understanding, [enables us to] look for ways to lead, to understand and solve complex issues… But we know how to be together,” the president remarked.
On Religious Liberty
During the meeting, President Duda reflected on the 450th anniversary of the Warsaw Confederation and its significance for religious liberty in Poland. “The Warsaw Confederation of 1573… officially established religious tolerance and equality of religions in our country. In those times – the 16th century – this was revolutionary,” the president noted. Because of this piece of forward-thinking legislation, Poland was able to avoid the tragic religious persecutions that affected other European countries at that time.
A Gift for the Presidential Couple
“After the official address, I met with the presidential couple and had the opportunity to have a short conversation,” shared pastor Jankowski. “I extended my best wishes and gave the couple a gift”, continued Jankowski, “an audiobook of Noble Life by Ellen White, a copy of The Bible in the Light of Archeology and History, and also a copy of Signs of the Times.“
“I also managed to talk to representatives of various churches and communities. I think it is extremely important to be present at such meetings. In this way, we represent our church and also have the opportunity to cultivate good relationships with leaders of other faith groups. Our presence is a sign of respect of other people, even though we hold different views,”
Reflecting on the president’s words, “We meet each other with kindness, and with a handshake”, Jankowski said, “This is a value Seventh-day Adventists in Poland hold to dearly, because we too believe it not only builds the strength of our church following the example of Christ, but also “the strength of our country and our community.”
[Photos: courtesy of Daniel Kluska]
