During the central celebrations of the 20th Day of Judaism in Wroclaw, Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, the metropolitan of Łódź, powerfully criticized the billboard run of Polish Euro MP Grzegorz Braun. The hierarch's message was a complaint consequence made earlier by Rabbi Michael Schudrich.
– erstwhile I attended the European Youth gathering in Tallinn at the turn of the year 2024/2025, Rabbi Schudrich called me, talking about banners that appeared in various places in Poland, signed by 1 of our Euro-Parliamentarians. I saw those banners myself. This banner is anti-human, anti-European, I do not know if it is anti-Semitic, but it is surely anti-Christian," said Cardinal Ryś.
A Controversial run Before Christmas
The Billboards in question were part of Grzegorz Braun's Christmas campaign. They represented the symbols of judaic Hanukkah and Christian Christmas, separated by a fire extinguisher symbol, and their contents were: “Chanuk or Christmas? Europo! The choice is yours!’ This content sparked a wave of criticism, and many audiences perceived it as an expression of spiritual intolerance and dissension for community celebration in multicultural Europe.
Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś in his speech during the Day of Judaism stressed that putting specified an alternate in public space is an unacceptable action, especially in the light of the authoritative teaching of the Catholic Church. "I do not know how we should celebrate Christmas by crossing out Hanukkah," added the hierarch, pointing to the value of interreligious dialog and respect for cultural diversity.
Polish associate @GrzegorzBraun_ He went on a billboard campaign! GIGA billboard in Kielce. And on it the key (!) for us, as Poles and Europeans, the question: CHANUK IS GOD'S NATION♪ Chanuka or Christmas ♪#KielceChristmas2024#GrzegorBraunpic.twitter.com/4J9jxcSnVX
— Confederation of the Polish Crown (@KoronyPolska) December 20, 2024
Rabbi Schudrich's reaction
Rabbi Michael Schudrich, the chief rabbi of Poland, called Cardinal Ryś to ask him to respond to the campaign's content. In the conversation, he pointed out that specified actions are not only contrary to the principles of intercultural coexistence, but may besides lead to an increase of hostile attitudes towards spiritual minorities in Poland.
Answer by Grzegorz Braun
Grzegorz Braun himself, president of the Confederation of the Polish Crown, in social media underestimated criticism and utilized it as an component of his political narrative. "I thank Eminence most kindly for being energetic about my campaign," he wrote on his profile. This message was widely commented on in the media, and many people found it provocative.
The allegations of intolerance or the thought debate?
The discussion about Braun's run and consequence to it reveals deeper tensions in Polish public life. On the 1 hand, the promotion of a uniform imagination of Europe runs counter to the values of multiculturalism and openness which are the foundations of the European Community. On the another hand, specified initiatives find their supporters, for whom they represent the defence of conventional Christian values.
Church towards multiculturalism
Cardinal Rysia's attitude indicates the engagement of the Catholic Church in building bridges between religions and nationalities. In the light of the teaching of Pope Francis, who repeatedly called for dialog and common respect, the position of the Łódź metropolitan is consistent with the Vatican line.
Summary
Grzegorz Braun's run sparked a broad debate on the limits of freedom of expression and work for words in public space. While the political message of the billboards was clearly controversial, reactions specified as this Cardinal Rysia show that there is inactive area for substantive dialog and opposition to actions that violate the principles of interreligious coexistence.
Rabbi and Cardinal in the heat of the dispute: reflections on Grzegorz Braun's controversial campaign
During the central celebrations of the 20th Day of Judaism in Wroclaw, Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, the metropolitan of Łódź, powerfully criticized the billboard run of Polish Euro MP Grzegorz Braun. The hierarch's message was a complaint consequence made earlier by Rabbi Michael Schudrich.
– erstwhile I attended the European Youth gathering in Tallinn at the turn of the year 2024/2025, Rabbi Schudrich called me, talking about banners that appeared in various places in Poland, signed by 1 of our Euro-Parliamentarians. I saw those banners myself. This banner is anti-human, anti-European, I do not know if it is anti-Semitic, but it is surely anti-Christian," said Cardinal Ryś.
A Controversial run Before Christmas
The Billboards in question were part of Grzegorz Braun's Christmas campaign. They represented the symbols of judaic Hanukkah and Christian Christmas, separated by a fire extinguisher symbol, and their contents were: “Chanuk or Christmas? Europo! The choice is yours!’ This content sparked a wave of criticism, and many audiences perceived it as an expression of spiritual intolerance and dissension for community celebration in multicultural Europe.
Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś in his speech during the Day of Judaism stressed that putting specified an alternate in public space is an unacceptable action, especially in the light of the authoritative teaching of the Catholic Church. "I do not know how we should celebrate Christmas by crossing out Hanukkah," added the hierarch, pointing to the value of interreligious dialog and respect for cultural diversity.
Rabbi Schudrich's reaction
Rabbi Michael Schudrich, the chief rabbi of Poland, called Cardinal Ryś to ask him to respond to the campaign's content. In the conversation, he pointed out that specified actions are not only contrary to the principles of intercultural coexistence, but may besides lead to an increase of hostile attitudes towards spiritual minorities in Poland.
Answer by Grzegorz Braun
Grzegorz Braun himself, president of the Confederation of the Polish Crown, in social media underestimated criticism and utilized it as an component of his political narrative. "I thank Eminence most kindly for being energetic about my campaign," he wrote on his profile. This message was widely commented on in the media, and many people found it provocative.
The allegations of intolerance or the thought debate?
The discussion about Braun's run and consequence to it reveals deeper tensions in Polish public life. On the 1 hand, the promotion of a uniform imagination of Europe runs counter to the values of multiculturalism and openness which are the foundations of the European Community. On the another hand, specified initiatives find their supporters, for whom they represent the defence of conventional Christian values.
Church towards multiculturalism
Cardinal Rysia's attitude indicates the engagement of the Catholic Church in building bridges between religions and nationalities. In the light of the teaching of Pope Francis, who repeatedly called for dialog and common respect, the position of the Łódź metropolitan is consistent with the Vatican line.
Summary
Grzegorz Braun's run sparked a broad debate on the limits of freedom of expression and work for words in public space. While the political message of the billboards was clearly controversial, reactions specified as this Cardinal Rysia show that there is inactive area for substantive dialog and opposition to actions that violate the principles of interreligious coexistence.
Read more:
The rabbi complains to Cardinal Rysi about Braun's billboard campaign
