Fischer: Vatican will defer property disputes until after economic crisis

Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer said Saturday that the issue of property settlements between the state and the Catholic Church would not be a priority for the Vatican as long as the global economic crisis persists. Speaking after what he called a “very practical and comprehensive” meeting with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone at Prague castle, Mr Fischer said that resolution of the disputes would be deferred until more favourable economic times arrive. One of the main disputes between the Czech state and the Vatican is the ownership of St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle.