Minister for women’s equality sent the project of the EU bill for women’s equality to consult with the Polish Catholic Church officials before being introduced in Poland, tvp.info reports.The request letter was sent to the Polish Episcopate in May. Minister Elżbieta Radziszewska claims that the project of the bill she has been working on for 5 years is about non-religious discrimination and has been already consulted with other religious representatives.
She maintains that the opinion of the [Catholic] Church has no influence on the bill's final shape.
The Polish Episcopate official, father Jarosław Mrówczyński, in his response advised to stop working on the project of the bill.
"There's a doubt existing whether it's necessary to create a "lex generalis" doctrine regarding equality in Polish legal system. It seems that there's no need to create this. But the concept of standards in equality, expressed in the bill, may be a dangerous way for Poland to become subject of unspecified influences"Left Democratic Union deputy, Katarzyna Piekarska says:
It's a sad fact that in the country that has constitutional clause about separation of state and church, the Episcopate has a lot to say in creating legal regulations. The opinion expressed by father Jarosław Mrówczyński is of special curiosity in its character. If the Prime Minister thinks seriously about equality, he should employ somebody else who has better idea what equality is.The Left Democratic Union appeal to dismiss the minister was signed by The Union of Work and Women's Party along with other 13 feminist groups and organizations.
Another Episcopate official, father Józef Kloch reminds:
"The new regulations' authors consult interested groups and organizations about their opinion and there's a normal procedure during creation of the bills and regulations to consult its final shape. The Episcopate has been on the list of consultants for some time which is neither a new nor surprising fact".SIC: DJEurope