Pastoral Problems in American Polonia

Abstract

The Polish emigration into America couting over 3 mlns, in course of time created an 8-mln US population, called Folonia. From the very beginning there arised certain pastoral difficulties. They were caused by:

1° — a lack of Polish priests.
2° — conflicts arising between Polish Catholic priests and the Catholic hierarchy tending to a speedy assimilation of Poles.
3° — unsatisfactory understanding of a proper place and role for Poles in American society’s culture which has many connections with the process of building and decaying of the Polish colonies.