Poland’s Parliament Oks Constitution

Sun., March 23, 1997

Compiled From Wire Services

Poland’s Parliament finally approved a new post-communism constitution for the country Saturday, giving a legal framework to the democratic changes wrought since 1989.

The constitution - strongly influenced by religion in this predominantly Roman Catholic country - still faces review by the president before it goes to a public vote May 25.

Drafters had rejected Solidarity’s proposal that they recognize God-given law as higher than any man-made law. While invoking God as the “source of truth, justice, good and beauty,” the constitution also says for nonbelievers that those are universal values drawn from other sources.

On demands by the church, the new constitution also outlaws homosexual marriages and guarantees the right of religion classes in schools.

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Poland’s Parliament Oks Constitution

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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