Czech Gov‘t Approves ’Historic’ Move to Pay Billions to Churches Persecuted Under Communist Rule
- Posted on January 11, 2012 at 6:45pm by
Billy Hallowell
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PRAGUE (The Blaze/AP) — Churches were seized, outspoken priests jailed or even executed and those allowed to lead services did so under the watchful eye of the secret police. More than 22 years after the fall of Communism, the Czech government agreed Wednesday to pay billions of dollars in compensation for property seized by the former totalitarian regime in a bid to draw another line under the country’s troubled past.
The sun sets behind the St. Vitus cathedral in Prague, Czech Republic. The Czech Republic's coalition government has approved a plan, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, to compensate religious organizations for property seized by the former Communist regime. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
The deal at one point, however, threatened to topple the coalition government after a junior partner this week voiced anger at the thought of huge sums being paid to churches given the current economic gloom.
But in a country where indifference to religion is strong – a legacy of the Soviet plan to create one of the most atheist states in their orbit – the compensation plan – to be spread over 30 years – proved a win-win situation: The state no longer wanted to pay the priests’ salaries, and religious organizations – mostly Catholic and Protestant – expressed relief after previous failed attempts.
The Communist regime, which seized power in 1948 in what was then Czechoslovakia, confiscated all the property owned by churches and persecuted many priests. Churches were then allowed to function only under the state‘s strict control and supervision and priests’ salaries paid by the state.
St. Vitus Cathedral (Photo Credit: Prague4u.cz)
After the 1989 Velvet Revolution brought democracy to the region, some churches and monasteries were returned, but the churches have since sought to get back other assets such as farms, woodlands and buildings.
Wednesday’s ruling still needs the approval of Parliament, but the governing three-party coalition has a comfortable majority.
Under the plan, the country’s 17 churches, including Catholic and Protestant, would get 56 percent of their former property now held by the state – estimated at 75 billion koruna ($3.7 billion) – and 59 billion koruna ($2.9 billion) in financial compensation paid to them over the next 30 years. The state will also gradually stop covering their expenses over the next 17.
Culture Minister Alena Hanakova, whose ministry drafted the bill, called the decision “historic” and the Catholic Czech Bishops’ Conference welcomed the move, saying it hoped Parliament will follow suit. The Catholic Church will receive the biggest share of the restitution money.
In 2008, a similar bill was approved by the government but Parliament rejected it.
The government’s decision Wednesday came after its junior coalition party withdrew its objection to the plan.
Prime Minister Petr Necas (AP)
Prime Minister Petr Necas had threatened to dismiss the Public Affairs party’s ministers if they blocked the proposal, which would have ended the three-party coalition that came to power after the 2010 election.
“It‘s crucial that we’ve managed to agree on it,” Necas said.
Public Affairs chairman Radek John said his party only agreed after it received guarantees the government would not apply cuts and other austerity measures to raise funds for the compensation.
“Common citizens won’t be affected,” John said.
The party’s opposition reflected the overall atmosphere in the nation — considered one of the most atheist countries in Europe.
According to a December 2011 public poll, 69 percent of Czechs were against the religious restitution and only 40 percent considered churches to be useful.
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tiredofprogressives
Posted on January 14, 2012 at 7:54amAs long as these were Orthodox Churches great. If they were Roman Catholic then stop this. Roman Catholics were complicit in the death of Orthodox Christians by the Croatians under the leadership of the Vatican Bishops. Serbs were killed by the hundreds of thousands but you don’t hear much of it in the West.
Report Post »gemmeri
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 5:30pmSo all this persecution happened in the late 1940′s & they are paying reparation now??? Why? That’s like making us white descendants pay restitution to the blacks for all the plantation owners way back before the Civil War. You can’t turn back time & you can‘t pay for past sins by writing a check to someone’s descendant. Why not restore the churches & their relics or icons instead of financial reparation? Maybe the article is badly written. Are they getting back property they formerly owned that was taken by someone else? Because if the property was developed in-between, that also strikes me as very impractical. Unless it was turned into a parking lot or open field. If valuable relics were melted down or re-cast or re-shaped or robbed of gems & such, how the hell is one supposed to get it all back? My ancestors were Dutch & Irish immigrants & became farmers & gold miners in their time. My family had nothing to do with plantation slaves, although they may have served as indentured servants, but I would contest any government action to try & make restitution for something that happened long ago by today’s standards. It’s as bad as the Catholic church re-opening the case against Galileo & finally granting a pardon because he dared to say our planet revolved around our sun. Hypocrisy at its best & it doesn’t make a difference to the man anymore because they persecuted him & probably killed or executed him a long time ago. One cannot make up for wrongs of the past.
Report Post »pennswoods
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 6:57pmThe persecution of the Catholic Church and minority Protestant Churches in Czechoslovakia ended shortly after Communism fell apart in Eastern Europe when the Berlin wall collapased on November 8, 1989. That’s 23 years ago.
Report Post »MarsBarsTru7
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 5:27pmHey, I’m all for this. But they should get the funds to repay the churches from the ones that benefited most under the communist regime. Liquidate their assets and send it to the churches directly. Then reduce taxes and guarantee religious freedom.
Report Post »Constantine Ivanov
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 6:33pmAs far as I know (I was many times in Czechoslovakia and had many friends over there since I was fluent in Czech), religious freedom is flourishing in Czech.
Even under Commies, the Churches were not pursued as much as they were in the USSR.
As for funds, I hope they arrested Commies’ money.
Report Post »NeverSurrender
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 11:58amWhy exactly is Czech paying anyone? Czechoslovakia was the country that was under communist rule. Is Slovakia paying their churches reparations also? I mean it would be only fair that since the 2 countries made up Czechoslovakia that if one pays reparations the other should too, right? I mean that is the only liberal thing to do!
Report Post »Constantine Ivanov
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 6:26pmI dare remind that Czech and Slovakia NOW are TWO DIFFERENT countries.
Report Post »The one cannot dictate what the other one should do.
As for the Czechs, they ALWAYS were closer to Western Europe than the Slovaks who were leaning more to East.
Honor and Praise to the Czechs! Will see what Slovaks will do.
pennswoods
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 7:05pmConstantine. I visited relatives in Prague in 1980 when the Czechs were still under the grip of the Stalinist hold on the Czech Communist Party after the Prague Spring of 1968 was crushed in that same year by an invasion of Czechoslovakia led by the USSR. In 1980 there was were only 2 “authorized” Catholic seminaries open in Bohemia and Moravia and all Catholic schools were still closed and as I posted earlier 80% or more of Catholic churches had been turned over by the mid 1950′s to the Czech Communist government to be used by the Communist party as it pleased. Life was still so strained in 1980 that only my elderly relatives would see me as anyone under retirement age feared meeting a Western relative out of fear of retribution by the state.
Report Post »Constantine Ivanov
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 10:16pmTo PENNSWOODS:
Report Post »I just said that “…under Commies, the Churches were not pursued AS MUCH AS IN THE USSR”. Particularly after 1968, starting from Dubček: the Soviet Commies were worried that too much pressure will cause another one Jan Palach burning himself..
I didn’t say that the Czech churches were enjoying freedom.
Roaran
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 11:32amSo, Communists take power, steal things, and then they are ousted.
Years later, the new government that is supposedly not communist is diverting tax payer funds to this group for damages done that neither the government nor the tax payers were responsible for.
This would be like giving out reparations to blacks despite themselves never having been enslaved with tax money from those who were never involved.
Sounds like the commies still control the Czech government…
Report Post »tiredofprogressives
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 8:16amObama is the biggest plantation owner in the West. He keeps his own people down by not educating them on capitalism. He denounces Capitalism and keeps his slaves leaching off the people who work and tells them they are entitled to their Fair Share.
Report Post »Charles H. Garrido
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 11:58pmHello: Jan 1/11/2012
Report Post »Since CUBA Jan 01 1959 to date Communisn.-
As we all know, through the years of oppression our beloved CUBA, many have been
the criminal acts of Vandalism,Theft and abuses by the Communist Goverment, through
and their very own officials and representatives of this criminal rule.-
We below I denouncing on outright on of many acts.
Stolen Art, Private Collection, Private Property, Private Libraries, Private Business.,Appropriation’
illegal seizure, and took Misappropriation.-Period.–
Today foreigners and some American Cubans (new money) buying properties, paintings, library , Rare Books” among all…etc.-
Sooner or later what comes around goes around.-
During those countries, Hungary, Latvia, Czescholosvakia, and many others the “LAW” comming the pure “Justice” .-
Cuba no one cares! specially Administration Obama’s not even realize History or Geography..-
Today’s CUBANS-Americans still flying CubanTravel Agencies, advertisement Television, Charterers USA Carriers, tourism to Cuba.-.
Yesterday, by boat, airplanes, or third country.
Went to the USA (diaspora”) to be Free, Educated, new got “Jobs.”..
No wonder many “Cubans” are invidious,regrets about his ignorance never ever read a book !!. ,
Here’s Jan Valtin “La noche Quedo Atras” (The Night sorrow (lament) the back )
First edition 1941 thru tenth edition 1947.-…..!
Tks/Coop.
Charles H. Garrido
Miami Fla.-
pennswoods
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:49pmMy mother was Czech. She left in early 1947 a year before the Communists finally took control of Czechoslovakia in Febraury 1948. She, like the rest of our family, saw the writing on the wall and knew their country was finished in 1945 when FDR and Churchill sold the Czechs and the rest of Eastern Europe out to become Soviets satellites to please Stralin at Yalta. The persecution and damage the Communists did to the churches, especially the Roman Catholic Church, from 1948 was pure Marxist evil. Communism took the faith from two generations of Czechs by brainwashing and lies. The Slovaks, now a seperate nation, have largely retained their Catholic faith which is practiced by less than 20% in the Czech Republic today, yet most people there still identify with Catholicism even if they never go to Mass. This money is mostly about returning confiscated property. I wish the Communist’s still alive,who persecuted Catholics and other Christians, would have been put on trial after the fall of Communism in Czechoslovakia in 1989 and gone to jail for their crimes against religion and human rights. No, they got off scott free, just like the Communist criminals in East Germany, the former USSR, and other former Warsaw Pact Nations. There was and is no justice for the crimes commited by Communists. Pol Pot is just one example. Yet one Nazi still alive in his 90′s hiding somewhere in Germany or Latin America is hunted down and brought to trial and the world is outraged by their crimes.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:54pmThank you for sharing. It wouldn’t surprise me if some of those soviet war criminals are running around amongst us.
Report Post »chicago76
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 11:00pmAmen, the communists were and are atheists. That is their primary claim to fame. All the other things they have done have been done before, but never by a group that espoused and its stated goal was to create an atheist state and country. Their goal was and is to make the whole world atheist by any means necessary.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:14pmThe Obama Administration and Eric Holder will use this to bring reparations for slavery back up. Van Jones, Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson are probably on a flight there as I type this.
Report Post »VicksVaporub
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:57pmThis really means the American taxpayers will pay for it all via the IMF.
Report Post »Patrick Henry II
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:01pmObamas own slaves in Africa.
Report Post »pennswoods
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 1:28amMonk. This is not about “reparations” it’s about returning stolen property.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:06pmWho’s all ready for a new earth to come down? One new earth, coming right up, well I mean down.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:00pmA little note to all the little Fascists out there. There isn’t enough Fascism you can muster to save your asses.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:11pmAfter-all, these are the days that were written about when God finally deals with your asses.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:14pmAnd the harder you struggle the deeper in the mud your chariot wheels will sink, just like Pharaoh’s chariots.
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:53pmThe part that always gets me though is that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart (a few times). All in his time and all according to his plan, but I just SEE the results of so many hardened hearts lately.
Report Post »VicksVaporub
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:59pmThere‘s plenty of Fascists on the Blaze Eli or don’t you read the comments…
Report Post »pennswoods
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 1:14amWhat in the world are you talking about? You make absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 8:00pmNow if we can get the muslim extreemist to do the same
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:59pmIt’s good-wine making time.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:54pmIt looks like Jesus has once again gone into the “Temples” of the money changers and turned over there tables.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:57pmBecause the Lord has been treading back and forth in the vineyards and none of you would listen, and now it’s time to be tossed into the wine press of fury.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 9:49pmRelax, it’ll be alright.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:43pmWhere is that money coming from?
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:52pmI don’t know but they better hurry up because the entire world is getting ready to fall apart, better hurry to get on God good graces….hurry….hurry.
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:57pmU.S. aid.
Report Post »pennswoods
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 1:43amI think that 98% of this “money” is returned property that the Communists nationalized (stole) after they took over Czechoslovakia in 1948. The Communists turned as many as 3,000 or more churches, chapels, monasteries, convents, schools, colleges, seminaries, and even Catholic hospitals turning them into movie theaters, Communist “clubs”, town and village Communist party headquarters, youth centers, nationalized hopitals, and state Communist universities and colleges. Some churches were turned into offices and even apartments.
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:42pmWonder if they will STILL want reparations well after 200yrs.???
Report Post »Cuthalu
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:40pmThat is the problem I have with any type of reparations. The people responsible are never the ones that we be punished nor are they ones who will be required to pay back the compensation to victims. Why is it governments or government workers across the board can make any mistake, bad law, or idea while leaving the “punishment” phase when innocent people get hurt is left at the feet of the civilian population?
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 12:02amCUTHALU, Amen. You are so correct. Great comment.
Report Post »pennswoods
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 1:27amYou are partly correct. There are lots of Communists from the Communist era in Czechoslovakia that ended in 1989 who are in their late 70′s or older who are retired collecting pensions today and living comfortable lives who took part in the persecution of the Catholic and Protestant Churches in that country after the Communist takeiver in 1948 . In my opinion those still alive should be in jail for their crimes of sending priests, monks, nuns, protestant ministers and other believers to labor camps and “re-education camps” not to mention others they ordered tortured and killed. I did not mention the political prisoners the Communists persecuted because this article concerns the churches in the Czech Republic today.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:06pmOne more bailout Obama will be asked by Europe to pay for.
Report Post »RockinChuck
Posted on January 11, 2012 at 7:13pmthe USA has zero to do with this
Report Post »pennswoods
Posted on January 12, 2012 at 1:09amThe Catholic Church and Protestant Churches will simply get back property the Communists stole from them when they took over Czechoslovakia in 1948. The Czech Republic is giving back in it’s part of what was once Czechoslovakia, broken into two countries in 1982, what belongs to the Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Churches. This is not a “bailout”. It’s the Czech government giving back what was stolen from them (nationalized) by the Communists.
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