Zájem Svatého stolce o české země v období protektorátu

• Authors: Marek Šmíd

Title variants

EN

The Holy See’s interest in the Czech lands during the Protectorate

• Languages of publication: CS

Abstracts

EN

The study focuses on the ecclesiastical and religious context associated with the deaths of three Czech and Moravian bishops in 1940–1941 and its impact on the Catholic Church during the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. Specifically, it analyses the events following the deaths of Bishop Šimon Bárta of České Budějovice, Archbishop Karel Kašpar of Prague, and Bishop Josef Kupka of Brno, and the political and religious context of the selection of their successors. These events became part of a broader conflict between the Holy See and the Nazi authorities, which had a fundamental impact on the structure of the Church and its relations with the occupiers. The study arises from an analysis of historical sources, including Vatican archives recently made accessible, diplomatic correspondence, reminiscences of contemporaries, and scholarly literature. It focuses on the efforts of church leaders to preserve the autonomy of the church when faced with Nazi pressure. In addition to the political-religious aspects of the conflict, the work also addresses the impact of these events on the position of the church during the war and on its diplomatic relations after 1945. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of the Catholic Church in the Czech lands not only during World War II, but also after it, including key changes in the episcopal sees and their broader consequences.

Keywords

EN

Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia; Catholic Church; episcopal sees; Holy See; Nazi occupation

Discipline

• HISTORY: HISTORY

• Publisher: Institute of History, Czech Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Český časopis historický (The Czech Historical Review)
• Year: 2025
• Volume: 123
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 231-258
• Document type: ARTICLE

Contributors

author

Marek Šmíd

• Historický ústav AV ČR, v. v. i., Prosecká 809/76, 190 00 Praha 9, Czech Republic