Fire fighters top a poll of the most respected professions in Poland, shows a new survey.

The poll by the CBOS agency shows that fire fighters are the most socially revered and respected. Almost all respondents (93 percent) have a positive opinion one of the most crucial emergency services.

Soldiers also enjoy a high esteem in Poland. Almost three quarters of Poles (73 per cent) respect them and only every twentieth (5 percent) does not.

Army members enjoy the best reputation among students. The general opinion about police is also positive. Almost three quarters of Poles (72 percent) are satisfied with the work of police officers and only one fifth (19 percent) express dissatisfaction.

The survey also shows that support for the Catholic Church in Poland has decreased by 9 percentage points in comparison with April. Nearly two thirds of respondents (64 percent) have a positive opinion about the Church and one quarter (25 percent) a negative one. Among the Church’s supporters are mainly elderly people, less educated people and inhabitants of rural areas, while among its critics are inhabitants of the large cities and people with higher education.

The survey was conducted on 10-16 June among 977 Poles. (mg)