Krakowska prasa katolicka u schyłku XX wieku

Abstract

The catholic press in Krakow in the years 1989-1998 was a unique phenomenon in the scale of the whole country. It stood out both in terms of numbers and circulation, and in terms of diversity. Statistically (214 titles) Krakow as the publishing centre was the first in the country, considerably distancing other dioceses (e.g. Warszawa, Lublin, Poznan, Warszawa- Praga and Katowice). There were a number of different sources of this phenomenon. It was a combination of a strong influence of the Krakow clergy (incidentally, the most numerous in the country), as well as a rich editorial tradition and great activity of the secular intellectual milieu (e.g. grouped around “Tygodnik Powszechny”). This influence was noticeable even in the PRL period: despite adverse circumstances in the years 1945–1989 as many as 69 periodicals were published. The year 1989 was a breakthrough. The offer of the catholic press, which on the threshold of transformation consisted of mere 53 titles (mostly theological and monastic), increased by further 161 publications, thus creating a diversified mosaic of catholic periodicals. There were 22 magazines on religious spirituality ( e.g. “Posłaniec Serca Jezusowego”, “List”), 13 magazines of catholic social associations (e.g. “Wychowawca”, “Naturalne Planowanie Rodziny”), 15 magazines of charity societies (e.g. “Światło I Cienie”), 7 catholic magazines for children and teenagers (e.g. “Droga”, “Jaś”, eSPe”), 4 magazines of religious and social character, i.e. catholic opinion magazines (e.g. “Źródło”, “Krakowski Gość Niedzielny”) and 4 others (concerning missions and pilgrimages). There was a sudden thriving of parish press (67 titles) and monastic publications (43); the range of theological (32) and pastoral (7) magazines widened as well. It is, however, worth adding here that the development of the catholic press was conditioned in a different way than in the case of other publishing groups. Apart from the political, legal and economic factors, typical for the development of all kinds of press publications, the increased activity of the catholic editors was also inspired by the publication of church documents (e.g. “Aetatis novae”, the instruction published in 1992), but most of all by the creation of their own information network (including the Catholic Press Agency, TV and radio stations, catholic journalist schools or trade societies). A considerable importance must also be ascribed to the increasing activity of laity; after years of inaction, various groups of interest were mushrooming, catholic social-religious, cultural, educational and charitable associations were established, and various charismatic and prayer communities had their renaissance.