Power and Catholicism were inseparable in Poland. The fall of populists mirrors that of priests | Wojciech Orliński

The success of centre-left parties follows the collapse in devotion. Like Ireland, we are loosening the church's grip on the state

The city council of Czstochowa in central Poland passed a shocking resolution last year. Councillors announced that the city no longer wished to pay for religious education in local schools and called on the government to relieve them of this duty.

Since then, many Polish cities, most recently Wrocaw, have followed suit. Their declarations are of no legal consequence, but they nevertheless are powerfully symbolic of Poland's social transformation, especially given where the rebellion originated.

Wojciech Orliski is a Polish journalist and author