{"id":13433,"date":"2023-02-10T07:41:46","date_gmt":"2023-02-10T07:41:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/?p=13433"},"modified":"2023-02-10T07:41:46","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T07:41:46","slug":"in-poland-religious-representatives-meet-with-the-nations-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/in-poland-religious-representatives-meet-with-the-nations-president\/","title":{"rendered":"In Poland, Religious Representatives Meet with the Nation\u2019s President"},"content":{"rendered":"

10 February 2023 | Warsaw, Poland [Daniel Kluska with tedNEWS]<\/p>\n

\u201cWe meet each other with kindness, with a handshake. This is what builds the strength of our country and our community,\u201d said Poland\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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. \u201cThe 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,\u201d the president remarked.<\/p>\n

On Religious Liberty <\/strong><\/p>\n

During the meeting, President Duda reflected on the 450th anniversary of the Warsaw Confederation and its significance for religious liberty in Poland. \u201cThe Warsaw Confederation of 1573… officially established religious tolerance and equality of religions in our country. In those times – the 16th century \u2013 this was revolutionary,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

A Gift for the Presidential Couple<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Pastor Ryzyard Jankowski (right) with the President of Poland Andrzej Duda, and First Lady, Mrs Agata Kornhauser-Duda.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cAfter the official address, I met with the presidential couple and had the opportunity to have a short conversation,\u201d shared pastor\u00a0 Jankowski. \u201cI extended my best wishes and gave the couple a gift”, continued Jankowski, “an audiobook of Noble Life<\/em> by Ellen White, a copy of The Bible in the Light of Archeology and History<\/em>, and also a copy of Signs of the Times.<\/em>“<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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,\u201d<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the president’s words, \u201cWe 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.”<\/p>\n

\n

[Photos: courtesy of Daniel Kluska]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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