“Are priests still needed in the world? For what purpose?” was the title of the International Theological Congress organized by the Catholic Academy of Warsaw on April 24 and 25, 2026. More than 300 people attended the event: academics, religious, seminary formators, clergy, nuns, and lay students. Among the speakers were professors from the Pontifical Alphonsian Academy in Rome: Fr. Antonio Donato CSsR (President of the Alphonsian Academy) and Fr. Andrzej Wodka CSsR.
The congress offered a space for profound reflection on the identity of the priest and the place of the priesthood in a world marked by cultural changes, a crisis of authority, and new pastoral challenges. The speakers addressed, among other topics, the theological meaning of the priesthood, the relationship between the universal priesthood and the ministerial priesthood, ongoing formation, collaboration with the laity, the ministry of the confessor, anticlericalism, and the spiritual dimension of priestly life.
The Congress program included presentations by speakers from Poland and abroad: Cardinal Mauro Piacenza (Vatican), Archbishop Krzysztof Nykiel (Vatican), Father Dariusz Kowalczyk SJ (Gregorianum), Father Bernard Pottier SJ (Facultés Loyola de Paris), Father Antonio Donato CSsR (Alphonsian Academy), Father Andrzej Wodka CSsR (Alphonsian Academy), Isabel Leon (University of Navarra), Bishop Damian Bryl, Father Jan Frąckowiak, Father Krzysztof Wons SDS, Father Marek Blaza SJ (AKW) and Father Janusz Pyda OP (AKW).
The Redemptorists presented the papers: “The main challenges for confessors in the 21st century” – Professor Father Antonio Donato and “The priest as servant of mysticism and encounter” – Professor Father Andrzej Wodka.
An integral part of the event was communal prayer and the Eucharist: Holy Mass at the tomb of Blessed Father Jerzy Popiełuszko and Holy Mass in the seminary church, presided over by Archbishop Adrian Galbas. The conference took place in the building of the Catholic Academy of Warsaw, at 3 Dewajtis Street, and in the NIKiDW Hall, at 66 Krakowskie Przedmieście Street.
The conference provided an opportunity to reflect in a concrete way, with theological foundation and pastoral responsibility, on the meaning, tasks, and future of the priesthood in the Church and in the world.
source: www.redemptor.pl ; photos Facebook Accademia Cattolica di Varsavia
