Crime and Punishment: The Selected Tenets of the Decalogue in the Polish Television Series Ojciec Mateusz [Fr. Matthew]

Abstract

This article considers whether the popular Polish drama-crime television series Ojciec Mateusz [Father Matthew], which is directed by Maciej Dejczer and has been broadcast on TVP1 since 2008, prompts viewers to reflect on Christian moral norms. This research includes the fields of cultural studies and moral theology. From the point of view of moral theology, the theme of Ojciec Mateusz is the battle between good and evil, the basis of which is the tenets of the Decalogue. This study attempts to answer the questions: Is the religiosity hidden in this series, which does not assume the religiosity of the series’ viewers, evoke religious sentiments among those who believe? And, does the series affect the moral formation of those who do not believe?