On 28–29 May 2025 the Polish Association of Defenders of Human Life and the Department of Catholic household Sciences of the University of Lublin John Paul II organized the First National Colloquium of Prenatal Education entitled “Family in the Face of Bioethical Problems – A Normative aspect”. The event took place in the hall of the Faculty of Theology of the College of John Paul II KUL.
Dr. Piotr Guzdek from the Polish Association of Defenders of Human Life, 1 of the main organizers, emphasized the importance of cognition in the current political and social dispute concerning the protection of life.
– cognition is simply a fundamental origin in shaping attitudes and is so fundamental in social debate. Prenatal education does not have an institutionalized form in Polish education, cognition on this subject is insufficient and we see the consequences in the social debate, where not substantive information, but emotions take precedence," said Dr. Guzdek.
The conference brought together young researchers from various fields, including obstetrics, nursing, psychology, pedagogy of prenatal bioethics and moral theology.
The event began with a professorial session. The votes were taken by: Dr. Dorota Kornas-Bila, Prof. KUL, Fr. Mirosław Brzeziński, Prof. KUL, Dr. Urszula Dudziak, Prof. KUL, Dr. Małgorzata Parzyszek and Dr. Emilia Lichtenberg-Kokoszka.
During the session, a movie by ed. Joanna Banasik, entitled “You Don't should be Afraid”, was released, showing the function of fatherhood and the value of taking work for the conceived life, besides in the event of an adverse prenatal diagnosis. “If a man is responsible, he decides to be with a woman, to take care of her as a wife and mother. He besides takes work for the lives that they have created together in this world," said Fr Brzeziński. “The liable man cannot resign as a father, he cannot say that the kid is not his business,” he added.
Prof. Kornas-Bila in her speech drew attention to the welfare of the unborn child, who is burdened with the diagnosis of alethal disease. She stressed that each kid should be cared for and dignity, regardless of medical predictions. Parents in turn request adequate help, as adequate systemic support affects the decision to proceed their pregnancy.
Students, postgraduate students, PhD students and researchers from different fields of discipline took the level during subsequent sessions. Many of them presented the results of their investigation in areas specified as wellness education, household education, the function of catechesis in life-orientation.
Agnieszka Wodzyńska from the “Donum vitae” Foundation in Szczecin in her speech “Take care of your grief” raised the subject of accompanying families after the birth. She pointed out that grieving women are frequently left alone and that organization and social support is inactive insufficient.
Maria Jakubowska of the Guadalupe Foundation in Lublin spoke about the meaning of the suffering of the parents of the unborn child. In her speech, she referred to the teaching of John Paul II, recalling fragments of the encyclicals "Evangelium vitae" or "Salvifici doloris". Her reflection had a deep spiritual and existential dimension.
In turn Przemysław Radzyński from the Polish Federation of Life defence Movements spoke about the etosa of pro-life journalism. He pointed out the request to be liable for the word in the media. He stressed that a good writer could not focus on emotions, but should study on life and its defence in a reliable way.
– This colloquium was born from the request to have reliable cognition that is essential to form social attitudes. A man should be able to critically justice media communications, especially during specified turbulent debates as this 1 about protecting life. This dispute is just beginning, and we must be ready for it," said Dr. Piotr Guzdek. He besides stressed the importance of professional university staff in the context of life defence.
– There were moments, even touching, erstwhile young people standing behind the desktop quoted professors sitting in the hall. This is what it is about – building and shaping the environment of young scientists who have their masters – Dr. Guzdek concluded.
The 1st National Colloquium of Prenatal Education was part of the educational program "Pro-Life Leaders' Couture" and entered into the celebration of global household Day and the 30th anniversary of the encyclical "Evangelium Vitae". He was besides accompanied by the pro-life exhibition “We Love all Life” which shows the beauty of parenting and prenatal improvement of the child.
