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Separation of Church and State?

30. 4. 2010 / Štěpán Steiger

I don't have an answer to this question, that's why I ask it publicly here. When the Czech TV -- which is supported by the State, sometimes called public television [note of the editor Fabiano Golgo: Česká televize is not supported by the State, but by compulsory fees and advertisement] -- showed (presented) Cardinal Vlk at the moments when he was doing his Church (non-State) work, I took it as an inclination towards serving that part of the population that is made of Christian believers (notwithstanding being only for those of the Catholic faith). Although it was, in my judgment, an inappropriate religious demonstration, I resigned to myself and accepted it as a matter of fact. However, the way in which through the Bishop's conference the Catholic Church has been meddling with the politics of this country is not only inappropriate -- it is deplorable, for it exceeds the limits, which I have until now considered as certain.

A Czech version of this article is in CLICK HERE

So just as one's official religious beliefs are a private matter, so even the political opinion of the Church (I emphasize: of that one specific Church, once I don't know any other that acts the same way) has to be rejected, and strongly so.

Is anyone able to imagine that some association of Czech Muslims called for their members to (even indirectly) not vote for those candidates who are against Islam? I am convinced that it is already time that the Catholic Church limits itself (and the public limits the Church) to activities so-called inherent to them (as a former Catholic I know which they might be). And it certainly does not belong among those activities the interfering with politics.

The dissident past of Bishop Václav Malý do not give him any special powers or right to -- as a representative of the Catholic Church -- indicate political parties... Well, if the private person Václav Malý would like to share his opinion that this or that party should not get votes, he should do it on whichever medium, as far as not as a Bishop.

And of course it is also inappropriate, in relation to this subject, even the blessing by the new Archbishop of Prague of the medical equipment of hospital Na Homolce (unless they had been donated by the Church). That kind of gesture would hardly influence anyone into changing his or her convictions, but still, the State should not give any religion special treatment or preference. After all, was Czech Republic, by any means, founded over any religious principles?

Let's not allow the representatives of this State to pretend it was. And let's not let the Czech TV channel forget that we have dozens of other officially registered religious denominations among us, which could be shown. At a time of needed tolerance the masses should known that the Catholic Church is just but one among many religions.

Vytisknout

Obsah vydání | Pondělí 2.8. 2010