WARSAW, Poland--In one of its sharpest challenges on record, the leaders of Poland's Roman Catholic Church yesterday called for the abolition of censorship in this Communist nation, calling it a "weapon of totalitarian regimes."

The statement, contained in a pastoral letter signed by all Polish bishops, was read from the church pulpits yesterday throughout the country.

The leaders also called for the government to allow the broadcasting of religious programs and asked the faithful to listen to Vatican Radio.

"The social life of a nation needs openness and free public opinion," the letter, whose signers included Polish primate Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski and Cardinal Carol Wojtyla, read.

"People who read only censored news do not know the truth and therefore feel free from responsibility for moral, social and economic life," the letter continued.

The churchmen also deplored the "harrassment of those who have expressed their views on public life in Poland.

Poland remains one of Europe's most religious countries, and its church is among the most influential institutions in the nation. An estimated 90 per cent of Poland's 35 million people are Roman Catholics.