The Greek Catholic Church in the Interwar period in Polish historiography: contemporary approaches and interpretations

Abstract

This article analyzes contemporary Polish historiography that explores the activities of the Greek Catholic Church  during the interwar period. The aim of the study is to identify the main directions, methodological approaches, and interpretative frameworks characteristic of Polish scholarly research from the late 20th to the early 21st century. The paper examines the works of researchers such as S. Stępień, A. Krochmal, M. Strutyński, J. Moskałyk, J. Karbarz-Wilińska, among others, who represent various academic schools and perspectives. The analysis reveals that Polish historians increasingly recognize the important socio-cultural role of the GCC in shaping Ukrainian identity. However, issues such as confessional coexistence, the legal status of the Church, and its interaction with the Polish state are still often interpreted through the lens of the Polish political context. The conclusion emphasizes the need for a deeper dialogue between Ukrainian and Polish historiographies in order to overcome stereotypes and develop a more balanced interpretation of interconfessional and interethnic relations in the Second Polish Republic.