Political Communication of the Polish Bishops’ Conference in the Context of the Ukrainian Counteroffensive in 2023

The scientifi c aim of this article is to present the position of the Polish Episcopal Conference during one of the stages of Russia’s full-scale war on the territory of Ukraine, namely during the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Zaporizhia Oblast and the western part of the Donetsk Oblast in 2023. The analysis concerns the following issues: the general geopolitical situation in Europe in the context of the war in Ukraine; the migration and refugee crisis on the external border of the European Union; an assessment of the foreign policy pursued by contemporary world political leaders towards the Russian Federation and Ukraine; an assessment of the position of the Holy See and Pope Francis in the context of Russia’s war in Ukraine; and an assessment of Ukraine’s political aspirations related to accession to the European Union and NATO. Methodology: the author applied the method of critical analysis of political rhetorical discourse in accordance with Martin Reisigl’s approach. Results and conclusions: the Polish bishops adopted a clear position in the context of the Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2023. They identifi ed the aggressor and the victim, stressed the need to provide assistance to refugees, and highlighted the importance of a proper understanding of the migration crisis triggered by the war. The materials analysed did not include any position taken by the Polish Episcopal Conference regarding the following issues: Ukraine’s aspirations to join the structures of the European Union and NATO; the assessment of Russia’s war in Ukraine by the Holy See and Pope Francis; or a detailed evaluation of the geopolitical situation in Europe, including, in particular, the foreign policy of global political leaders towards the Russian Federation and Ukraine. The publication contributes to the growing cognitive value on the political communication of the Polish Episcopal Conference.