Prague Archbishop says Czech-Vatican treaty likely finished

Incoming Prague Archbishop Stanislav Přibyl believes work on a long-prepared treaty between Czech Republic and the Vatican will likely not continue after a recent court ruling blocked its ratification. The agreement, negotiated over 22 years, was partly deemed unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic. Přibyl said he did not expect the document to be reopened or revised, arguing such treaties are rarely rewritten after signing. The court raised concerns over unlimited confidentiality of confession and restricted access to church archives. The deal, signed in 2024 by Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democratic Party), aimed to define relations between the state and the Catholic Church, but now appears unlikely to move forward.