The Czech Republic is currently embroiled in a heated debate over the ratification of a concordat with the Vatican. This agreement, long a source of contention, has sparked significant concern among proponents of secularism, human rights advocates, and those seeking justice for victims of sexual abuse. Signed in October 2024 by Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the concordat has drawn criticism for its perceived impact on secularism and accountability.
At the heart of the controversy is a clause granting “pastoral secrecy.” Under this provision, pastoral workers are granted confidentiality rights akin to those of confession, as defined by law. Critics argue that the term “pastoral worker” is overly broad and could apply to anyone designated by the Church, not just clergy. This ambiguity, they contend, creates a dangerous loophole that could shield cases of sexual abuse and hinder investigations. The Catholic Church’s track record of limited transparency in addressing abuse allegations only heightens these concerns. Detractors see the agreement as affording the Church a privileged position, undermining principles of equality and justice.
Victims of sexual abuse have also spoken out against the concordat, accusing it of prioritizing institutional protection over their right to justice. They warn that expanding pastoral secrecy makes it easier to hide abuse, as nearly anyone could be labelled a “pastoral worker.” For these victims, the agreement represents an unacceptable attempt to shield the Church from accountability while granting it an unjustified special status.
The Pirate Party, initially part of the governing coalition, has emerged as a vocal opponent of the concordat. Party members accuse Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský of withholding key information about the treaty during negotiations. They argue that the agreement favours perpetrators over victims and criticize the lack of transparency in the negotiation process.
Ratification and Legal Challenges
Despite widespread criticism, the Czech Parliament has pressed forward with ratification. The Chamber of Deputies approved the concordat in its first reading, despite attempts by the Pirate Party to delay proceedings. Foreign Minister Lipavský defended the agreement, asserting that it aligns with Czech law and clarifying that “pastoral worker” applies to all religious denominations. He also emphasized that the secrecy of confession is not considered absolute under Czech law.
Nevertheless, concerns persist. Senator Václav Láska of SEN 21 described the agreement as one-sided and disadvantageous to the Czech state. He noted that while the state agrees to recognize church marriages, the Church does not reciprocally recognize civil unions. According to Láska, the concordat benefits only the Catholic Church, creating an imbalance in obligations. He has called on the Constitutional Court to examine whether the agreement aligns with the constitutional order and ensures equal rights for future religious groups.
Although the Senate has also approved the concordat, critics’ request for a constitutional review was rejected. The Senate supported the agreement with 52 votes out of 73 senators present, with unanimous backing only from the People’s Party faction. The concordat now awaits further approval from the Chamber of Deputies and the president’s signature before becoming legally binding.
Historical and International Context
The controversy has deep historical roots. The Czech Republic remains one of the few European nations without a formal agreement with the Vatican. A previous attempt to ratify a concordat in 2003 failed due to concerns that the treaty was both disadvantageous to the Czech state and detrimental to the principle of equality among religious groups. The current agreement represents the Vatican’s latest effort to expand its influence in the country. Critics point to similar agreements in other nations that have been used to obscure cases of sexual abuse within the Church.
The ratification of the concordat continues to divide Czech society. The decision to move forward despite significant public opposition raises serious questions about the state of secularism in the country. Atropos Skeptical Society views the concordat as a threat to the separation of church and state and an unjustifiable expansion of the Catholic Church’s influence.
Personal note
Actually, the ratification of the Concordat is not such a surprise. Although in one of the most atheist states, half of the cabinet members of the ruling coalition are members of some Christian church. And Petr Fiala, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, said in an interview about marriage for same-sex couples in September 2023:
“I know all the arguments for and against, but this is an ethical issue. A question of internal values, settings, beliefs and other things. And that has to be respected in everyone. Both in those who are for adoption and those who think that marriage should be reserved for the union of a man and a woman for various reasons. For reasons that are simply natural, or theological, or other reasons.”
sources:
https://apnews.com/article/czechia-vatican-treaty-c9b1c49238fd0c41e752dee047850f0e
https://english.radio.cz/czechia-and-vatican-sign-historic-agreement-after-22-years-8832713
https://english.radio.cz/czechias-new-treaty-vatican-what-are-its-uses-and-its-problems-8839473
https://brnodaily.com/2024/11/21/news/victims-of-abuse-in-catholic-church-protest-against-czech-treaty-with-the-vatican/
https://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/2624083
https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-domov/smlouva-s-vatikanem-ochrani-predatory-rika-michalek-pirati-se-na-ni-podileli_2501051300_vtk
The Treaty:
https://mzv.gov.cz/file/5612552/CESKY_2024_10_20_Agreement_CZ_Holy_See_CZ_version_clean_for_Czech_Republic_sanitized__sanitized__CLEAN_final.docx
