Poland’s Catholic dioceses seek priests in Africa — Notes from Poland
Poland’s Catholic dioceses are increasingly inviting candidates from African countries to study at seminaries due to a decline in the number of Polish candidates for the priesthood. In 2026, 196 priests are expected to be ordained in the country — 12 fewer than last year and around 205 fewer than in 2013, Notes from Poland reports.
In seven Polish dioceses, no ordinations took place this year due to a lack of candidates, while there were six such dioceses in 2025. The shortage of students has already led to the merger or closure of a number of seminaries: in particular, the seminaries in Wrocław, Legnica, and Świdnica were merged into one institution, while the seminaries in Łowicz and Bydgoszcz were closed.
Seminarians from Africa
Two seminarians from the Central African Republic and seven from Angola are studying at the seminary in Kielce. In the Diocese of Ełk, according to curia chancellor Marcin Maczan, three of the seven seminarians are from Africa: one from Togo and two from Ghana.
In 2023, Bishop of Ełk Jerzy Mazur announced that he would invite candidates from Africa to the local seminary. Under arrangements with African dioceses, priests trained in Ełk may serve in Poland for eight to ten years after ordination and subsequently return to their dioceses.
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Priest and ethicist Andrzej Kobyliński of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw said that Europe as a whole is experiencing a crisis of vocations. In his view, Polish dioceses will continue to cooperate primarily with African dioceses and may also consider India as a source of candidates.
Priests from Indonesia and Togo
Indonesian Franciszek Laka, a monk of the Verbite congregation, has lived in Poland since 1999. Since 2024, he has been the parish priest of St. Anthony’s parish in the village of Brzegi near Zakopane. The provincial superior of the congregation extends his term of service in the country every three years.
Another example is Father Romuald Mawakina Tchilabalo Mozu from Togo. He arrived in Poland seven years ago, studied at the seminary in Opole, and after his ordination in May 2024 became a vicar in that city. At the same time, Mozu plays football for the GKS Piomar Tarnów Opolski-Przywory club.
