Regardless of personal disposition about the subject of religion one cannot write authentically nor creditably on the topic of Polish history without mention of the influence of the Roman Catholic Church. Since Poland’s beginnings in 966 AD religion has played a vital role in the lives of the republics inhabitants. A self declared Christian nation as early as the 15th century it was a sanctuary of religious tolerance. While Poland's neighbors shunned Jews Poland accepted them and was called paradisus iudaeorum (Jewish paradise.) Jews and Poland have a history which dates back 1,000 years. In addition, Poland was the major route for Orient spice traders – some transplanting their Eastern religions and traditions. The nation’s religious tolerance evaporated by the 17th century. History and the world is familiar with the atrocities committed by the Nazis of World War II and against Polish Jews; in the year of 1968 Poland's communist party expelled Jews giving them a one-way exodus passport. Today there are less than 5,000 Jews living in Poland.
The Reverend Szymon Niemiec uniquely assist the whole Polish community in another manner many outside of his native country are unaware of this fact. Before we explain how we first share a background history. Poland is vastly Roman Catholic; this percentage is estimated to be as high 95% and 75% of the country's inhabitants are farmers. Szymon Niemiec perhaps like many young Pole males dreamed as a youth of someday becoming a priest – American boys dream of becoming policemen, firemen or cowboys. Szymon’s strong faith and is centered in the belief that the better angels among us will lead the way. This has given him inner solace and strength through his turbulent struggles for homosexuals and minorities in Poland as we mentioned previously here. In the United States of America religious tolerance is unconditional. If you are Polish and non-Catholic, Agnostic or atheist discrimination is automatic if you are the minority. Szymon was born Roman Catholic and in adult life became a Protestant - Calvinist. Currently he serves as pastor of a congregation of gay tolerant and accepting parishioners. The Roman Catholic Church in Poland is very powerful and the hierarchy’s powers in our opinion tops that of the Vatican Curia. Poles must have permission to be buried in any of the church cemeteries – even if their family has a Mausoleum and individuals are not Roman Catholic or impoverished this can be problematic. The deceased must also be of good standing and of course the services for funerals, weddings and baptisms have established surcharges. If you cannot afford it you are out of luck. During the sixty year harsh environment of the Communist reign the church was a sanctuary for many citizens and perhaps this explains the dedication by Poles to the institution. There are many reports of persons who although from Catholic families cannot be buried in the sanctioned cemeteries. The Roman Catholic Church controls upwards of 84% of the country’s burial lands. Protestants, Agnostics and Atheistic are given "civil" burials in less prestigious cemeteries. As a licensed and certified Protestant minister Szymon Niemiec is sometimes requested by deceased family loved ones to officiate at some of these services (Most are unaware he is a gay activist.) Szymon counsels the families, attends their needs and accepts whatever "gift" they can afford to offer for the services. Sometimes his journeys last all day and are from one end o Poland to the opposite. He also regularly visits gay members who are in hospices care or hospitals. On several occasions he has officiated at "civil unions" which are commitment ceremonies because actual civil unions are prohibited in Poland.
In conclusion, Szymon Niemiec has shared his life helping other unselfishly in 2006 he asked us to listen to his story and share it with our peers in the west. We listened and now we want to share our friend’s story to hold him and others like him up as they fight for equality. Last year Szymon’s autobiography was translated and is available via Cafepress - order it and help the dreams continue to live. Community organization isn’t or shouldn't be about the lights and cameras - its about the ground troops. If you'd like to help us help "Save Szymon" join us by clicking a link or advancing this post permalink.