Protestant Military Chaplaincy (Poland)

The Protestant Military Chaplaincy (Polish: Ewangelickie Duszpasterstwo Wojskowe, EDW) is the military chaplaincy of the Evangelical-Augsburg Church in the Republic of Poland. It provides pastoral care to Lutherans and members of other Protestant denominations serving in the Polish Armed Forces. The EDW operates under the framework of the Evangelical-Augsburg Church and is recognized by the Polish Ministry of National Defence. The EDW was re-established after a 45-year interruption, based on Article 31 of the Act of 13 May 1994 on the relationship between the State and the Evangelical-Augsburg Church in the Republic of Poland, and formally created by Order No. 36 of the Minister of National Defence dated 9 June 1995. Its first statute was adopted on 10 January 1995 by the Consistory of the Evangelical-Augsburg Church and approved by the Ministry of National Defence on 27 January 1995. The statute was later amended, including in 2002. The chaplaincy traces its traditions to earlier Evangelical military chaplaincy in Polish armed formations. In 1919 a Religious and Denominational Section was created at the Ministry of Military Affairs, and military chaplains served during the Second Polish Republic, World War II, and immediately after the war (including Feliks Teodor Gloeh). Based on agreements between the Evangelical-Augsburg Church and the Evangelical-Reformed, Evangelical-Methodist, Baptist, and Seventh-day Adventist Churches, the EDW also extends its activities to members of these churches through the ministry of an Ecumenical Chaplain. Since 7 January 2008, chaplains of the Evangelical deanery of the Border Guard have carried out pastoral service within the EDW. The EDW is led by a Chief Chaplain – Evangelical Military Bishop, currently temporarily held by Rev. Lt. Col. Tomasz Wola. The Deputy Evangelical Military Bishop position is vacant. The deans for the Land Forces, Navy, and Air Force are Rev. Lt. Col. Tomasz Wigłasz, Rev. Lt. Col. Tadeusz Jelinek, and Rev. Lt. Col. Tomasz Wola, respectively.

The Protestant Military Chaplaincy (Ewangelickie Duszpasterstwo Wojskowe, EDW) is the military chaplaincy of the Evangelical-Augsburg Church in the Republic of Poland, providing pastoral care to Lutherans and members of other Protestant denominations serving in the Polish Armed Forces. It was re-established after a 45-year interruption, based on Article 31 of the Act of 13 May 1994 on the relationship between the State and the Evangelical-Augsburg Church in the Republic of Poland, and formally created by Order No. 36 of the Minister of National Defence dated 9 June 1995. The first statute of the EDW was adopted on 10 January 1995 by the Consistory of the Evangelical-Augsburg Church in the Republic of Poland and approved by the Ministry of National Defence on 27 January 1995. This statute was later modified, including in 2002. The EDW traces its traditions to Evangelical military chaplaincy in Polish armed formations. In 1919, a Religious and Denominational Section was created at the Ministry of Military Affairs, and military chaplains served during the Second Polish Republic, World War II, and immediately after the war, including Feliks Teodor Gloeh. Based on agreements concluded between the Evangelical-Augsburg Church and the Evangelical-Reformed, Evangelical-Methodist, Baptist, and Seventh-day Adventist Churches, the EDW also extends its activities to members of these churches through the ministry of an Ecumenical Chaplain. Since 7 January 2008, chaplains of the Evangelical deanery of the Border Guard have carried out pastoral service within the Evangelical Military Chaplaincy. The leadership of the EDW includes the Chief Chaplain – Evangelical Military Bishop, currently temporarily held by Rev. Lt. Col. Tomasz Wola (cz.p.o.). The position of Deputy Evangelical Military Bishop is vacant. The deans are Rev. Lt. Col. Tomasz Wigłasz for the Land Forces, Rev. Lt. Col. Tadeusz Jelinek for the Navy, and Rev. Lt. Col. Tomasz Wola for the Air Force.

• 2008

  Since 7 January 2008, chaplains of the Evangelical deanery of the Border Guard carry out pastoral service within the EDW.

• 2002

  Statute of the EDW modified.

• 1995

  First statute adopted on 10 January 1995 by the Consistory and approved by the Ministry of National Defence on 27 January 1995; formally created by Order No. 36 of the Minister of National Defence dated 9 June 1995.

• 1994

  Act of 13 May 1994 on the relationship between the State and the Evangelical-Augsburg Church in the Republic of Poland provides the legal basis (Article 31) for the chaplaincy.

• 1919

  Religious and Denominational Section created at the Ministry of Military Affairs; Evangelical military chaplains served in the Second Polish Republic.

The official military chaplaincy of the Evangelical-Augsburg Church in Poland, providing Protestant pastoral care within the Polish Armed Forces and the Border Guard.

• Military chaplaincy services

  Pastoral care for Lutheran and other Protestant service members of the Polish Armed Forces.

• Ecumenical chaplaincy

  Ministry extended to members of the Evangelical-Reformed, Evangelical-Methodist, Baptist, and Seventh-day Adventist Churches.

1. 1Protestant Military Chaplaincy (Poland) - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Ewangelickie Duszpasterstwo Wojskowe - Wikipedia (Polish)pl.wikipedia.org
3. 3Official websiteedw.wp.mil.pl