On the History of Hospital Service in the Wieluń Archdeaconate (in the Light of Visitations of 1668-1669)

Abstract

Since the origin their existence hospitals were not only place where the sick were treated, but also shelter for the homeless and the needy. It was in hospital that the poor pilgrims could stay. The sick, the unfit to work, elderly people, poor orphans, the abandoned babies, and all those who needed help lived there.

The development of a network of hospitals took place especially after the Tridentine Council (1545-1563). Strict directives were issued then with regard to hospital church service. Bishops sought to relieve the plight of the poorest diocesans. They encouraged the establishment of hospitals also in rural parishes. Then the hospitals were run by the religious. This process was continued in Poland throughout the 17^th century and several decades of the 18^th century.

The Wieluń Archdeaconate was part of the Gniezno Archdiocese. The situation of hospital service was not much different from the general situation of the charitable organisations in other regions of Poland in that period. One could say that it was not better than in other parts of the Gniezno Archdiocese, for during the visitation of 1668/1669 as many as 23 hospitals were mentioned per 39 parishes. This means that the inhabitants of the archdeaconate were sensitive to human poverty and sought to find a remedy for it.