Czechia and the Vatican sign historic agreement after 22 years
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin signed a treaty formalizing relations between Czechia and the Holy See. The document was 22 years in the making.
Czechia was among the few European countries that still lacked a formalized agreement with the Vatican, a delay rooted in parliamentary opposition in 2003. At that time, Czech lawmakers rejected a similar treaty, arguing that it was disadvantageous and undermined religious equality among faiths.
A lengthy discussion during the negotiations involved the confidentiality of confessions. According to Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, who had previously raised concerns on this matter, the treaty now briefly states that Czechia recognizes confessional secrecy, and similar confidentiality rights apply to pastoral workers under specified legal conditions. This provision was absent in the 2003 treaty proposal, contributing to its rejection at the time.
The agreement ensures that Czechia guarantees full freedom of thought, conscience, and religious belief, in line with national laws. Additionally, it protects the right to refuse military service or certain medical services based on personal beliefs, provided these objections align with legal conditions. Marriages conducted in the Catholic Church will be legally equivalent to civil marriages.
Czechia and the Catholic Church will also collaborate on preserving and maintaining cultural heritage, with the Catholic Church agreeing to make its historical sites accessible for research—a move Prime Minister Fiala described as essential. If the Czech Parliament approves the treaty and it receives presidential ratification, Czechia will join 64 other countries, including 25 in Europe, with similar agreements with the Vatican.
The treaty also legally establishes access to spiritual services in social, medical, and penal institutions, as well as in the military. Fiala clarified that the agreement does not alter property relations between the Czech state and the Catholic Church.
Any disputes regarding interpretation or implementation will be resolved through diplomatic channels. The treaty will become effective on the first day of the month following the exchange of ratification documents and is set for an indefinite duration.
