Morawiecki made the statement in a Facebook post on Friday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
April 14 when the country celebrates its annual Baptism of Poland Day, according to officials.
‘Extraordinary event in our history’
The Polish prime minister wrote: “Today, on April 14, we mark our national Baptism of Poland Day. It’s a commemoration of an extraordinary event in our history, which defined our culture, our faith and the fact that we are a Western country.”
Morawiecki added: “In 966, our first historical ruler, Mieszko I, was baptised. This act of baptism set the young Polish state on a path of development, allowing it to build our national identity and take part in the political, religious and cultural life of Europe.”
According to the Morawiecki, the adoption of Christianity at the end of the first millennium "imbued the nation’s culture with such values as brotherhood, solidarity, culture and respect for tradition.”
He stated: “It is these values that have shaped us for centuries and enable us to look into the future with boldness today.”
‘Reminder about Europe’s Christian roots’
Morawiecki also said that "the anniversary of the Baptism of Poland is a reminder about Europe’s Christian roots, which are ... the basis of the shared values and principles of the entire European Union.”
The prime minister warned that, amid “the challenges facing our continent, we must constantly make sure that these values are protected and passed on to the next generations.”
Morawiecki added: “My wish for all of us is that we use today’s observances as an opportunity to reflect on the Christian roots which form the basis of Polish identity and culture.”
He urged his compatriots: “In the face of incessant attacks on the Church and religion, let’s stand together, united and strong, drawing power from the act of Baptism of Poland, which changed the course of history and gave us an independent, strong and proud state, in which we can live today.”
Baptism of Poland Day
Baptism of Poland Day was established by the country’s lower house of parliament, the Sejm, in February 2019, the PAP news agency reported.
Lawmakers made April 14 National Baptism of Poland Day “to commemorate the Baptism of Poland, carried out on April 14, 966, due to the momentousness of Mieszko I’s decision, which is regarded as the beginning of Polish statehood,” according to PAP.
The occasion is designed “to encourage Polish people to express their patriotism and take action for the common good in the homeland,” as well as “to serve as a reminder that the Baptism of Poland marked the beginning of Polish history and of Poland’s Christian heritage,” Poland’s Catholic news agency KAI reported.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, KAI