On 24 October 2024, at 1:45 p.m., the Treaty between the Holy See and the Czech Republic on Certain Legal Matters was signed at the Office of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic in Prague. It was signed on behalf of the Holy See by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness. On behalf of the Czech Republic, it was signed by H.E. Mr. Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.
The Treaty, which consists of 16 articles aimed at further strengthening the friendly relations between the Holy See and the Czech Republic, promotes fruitful cooperation between Church and State in promoting the common good and the spiritual, human and cultural values of the Czech nation. In accordance with the Declaration Dignitatis Humanae of the Second Vatican Council, it seeks to further ensure the religious freedom of the faithful and, consequently, the freedom of the Church in the fulfilment of its mission. Therefore, this new bilateral treaty affirms the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion not only of the Catholic faithful but of all persons in accordance with international human rights instruments. It further affirms that freedom of religion can only be regulated by law (and not by subordinate legislation) and only to the extent necessary to protect public order, health and the rights of others.
As part of the Church's mission, the State, in recognition of religious freedom, recognizes the right of the Catholic Church to operate according to its own rules, to govern itself and to freely appoint its own clergy. It also guarantees the right to conscientious objection in the context of both military service and health care. The covenant protects the inviolability of the sacramental seal without conditions or limitations and the secrecy analogous to confessional secrecy concerning pastoral workers. It also recognizes the right of the Church to establish educational and charitable institutions and to provide spiritual assistance and pastoral care to persons confined in social welfare institutions, medical facilities and prisons. Finally, the new covenant will facilitate pastoral care for members of the armed forces and the police.
The new treaty will then have to be submitted to the Holy Father and the Parliament of the Czech Republic for ratification. It will enter into force on the first day of the month following the exchange of instruments of ratification.
Treaty between the Czech Republic and the Holy See
The ceremony was also attended by:
For the Holy See:
H.E. Msgr. Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Apostolic Nuncio to the Czech Republic;
Rev. Msgr. Jan Maria Chun Yean Choong, Counselor of the Nunciature and an official of the Secretariat of State;
Rev. Sac. Vital Akélé N'Gbesso Ohochi, Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in the Czech Republic;
For the local church:
H.E. Mr. Card. Dominik Duka O.P., Archbishop Emeritus of Prague;
H.E. Msgr. Jan Graubner, Archbishop of Prague;
H.E. Msgr. Stanislav Pribyl C.S.R., Bishop of Litoměřice;
P. Roman Czudek, Secretary General of the Czech Bishops' Conference;
P. Damián Němec, O.P., professor of canon law at the Faculty of Theology of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Olomouc;
Dr. Jakub Kříž Ph.D., Professor of Law at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague;
for the Czech Republic:
Mr Marek Výborný, Minister of Agriculture of the Czech Republic;
Mr Marek Benda, Member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic;
Mr Tomáš Pojar, National Security Adviser;
Mr Eduard Hulicius, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic;
H.E. Mr. Václav Kolaja, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to the Holy See;
Ms Petra Fojtíková from the Office of the Prime Minister;
Lucie Ješátková, Government Spokesperson;
Ms Hana Thorne, Director of Protocol;
Magdalena Pokludová, Director of the Department of Foreign Relations;
Mr. Dan Macek, External Relations Officer.
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