Abstract

Cardinal Józef Glemp social teaching has significantly contributed to the history of the Church and Poland at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. These are times of profound socio-political, cultural and religious changes. His primate ministry and pastoral preaching constituted a concrete, creative contribution to the course of events in which he participated. The fundamental issue for him was the vision of man as a person endowed with a special  dignity and rights derived from it. He took a clear stand in defense of life and pointed to the need to help other people. For card. Glemp a special role in social life is played by the family with the task of giving birth, raising and shaping children. He did not forget about the need to raise children in such a way that they would take care of their parents in the future. The Primate perceived the nation as a natural union of people and families. In this field, it is also necessary to correctly define the common good and to care for it properly. He devoted a lot of attention to patriotism and the attitude of love for the homeland. He emphasized the importance of freedom, sovereignty and pluralism as the foundations of the political system in a democratic state. It seems that this conception of social life constitutes a rather cohesive project that deserves further research.