Koncepcja opieki nad dzieckiem w działalności społecznej Kościoła rzymsko-katolickiego w Łodzi w latach I wojny światowej

Abstract

The concept of childcare in charitable activities of the Roman Catholic Church in Łódź during the World War I The aid provided by the Roman Catholic Church to residents of Łódź during the World War I had many aspects and was a part of support provided to those who needed it by many entities of social life. Special care was provided by parish communities to Roman Catholic children, in particular those who were homeless or had been abandoned, orphans, half-orphans, or children from very poor families. Seven out of nine Roman Catholic parishes existing in Łódź in 1914–1918 conducted charitable activities in the form of providing children with meals, healthcare, shoes, clothes, all-day care, or elementary education. Shelters, orphanages, refuges, poorhouses, and cheap eating places were established in parishes. The most active entity was Towarzystwo Schronisk św. Stanisława Kostki [St. Stanislaus Kostka Association of Shelters] located in St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish (it run 16 charitable institutions for children and the youth). A great credit in this area should also be given to shelters and cheap eating places existing at the following Łódź Roman Catholic parishes: The Assumption Parish, St. Joseph Parish, St. Anna Parish, St. Casimir Parish, The Transfiguration Parish, and The Sweetest Jesus’ Heart Parish.