Publication details
Giovanni Paolo II e i comunisti cecoslovacchi
| Title in English | John Paul II and Czechoslovak Communists |
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| Year of publication | 2020 |
| Type | Chapter of a book |
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| Description | John Paul II had a great impact on Czech history. This was mainly due to his influence on increasing the self-confidence of the Catholic Church between the years 1978-1989. From the very beginning of his pontificate, he was perceived by the Czechoslovak Communists as their dangerous and fundamental opponent, as a political actor who had a personal and ideological interest in the fall of the whole communist empire. The chapter deals with the relationship between Karol Wojtyła and the church in Czechoslovakia in the period before his papal election, when, as the archbishop of Krakow, he secretly consecrated a priests for the underground church, especially in Slovakia. Then is noticed his participation at the funeral of bishop of Litoměřice Štěpán Cardinal Trochta, whom he called a martyr. Then there are analysed five aspects of the influence of the election of a pope from a communist country on the situation in Czechoslovakia. A closer look is taken at the events surrounding the publishing of the Quidam episcopi decree banning political priesthoods, including the Czechoslovak Pacem in Terris. The influence of John Paul II is also discussed on the transformation of the personality of František Cardinal Tomášek, who at the end of his life became a significant symbol of resistance against communism. |
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