# Bishops' letter of reconciliation (1965)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1965-bishops-letter-of-reconciliation
Location: Rome

The Polish bishops sent a letter to their German counterparts containing the words 'we forgive and ask for forgiveness', provoking a fierce propaganda campaign by the regime. Within the broader People'S Republic period: Shifted westward and placed under communist rule, Poland rebuilt from the war but repeatedly rose against the regime, until the Solidarity movement forced a negotiated transition in 1989. At this point in the timeline (1965), the governing authority was Edward Ochab (Chairman of the Council of State), together with Władysław Gomułka (First Secretary of the PZPR). Briefly party leader in 1956; resigned as head of state in protest at the antisemitic campaign of 1968. Bishops' letter of reconciliation mattered because religion shaped Polish identity, culture and the country's place in Europe. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Bishops' letter of reconciliation mattered because religion shaped Polish identity, culture and the country's place in Europe.

Ruler at the time: [August Zaleski](https://poland-history.com/rulers/august-zaleski)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Letter of Reconciliation of the Polish Bishops to the German Bishops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_of_Reconciliation_of_the_Polish_Bishops_to_the_German_Bishops)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Bishops' letter of reconciliation](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Bishops%27+letter+of+reconciliation)
- [Wikipedia — Polish People's Republic (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_People's_Republic)