Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-06-27
Most Catholic Office!
Reported Seized by
Czech Communists
Church Sources Also
Tell OF Arrests OF
Priests Who Resisted

- re Attet fsa REV.
PRAGUE, Cxechosiovakia. June
81. Roman Catholic sources
charsed TODAY that Communists
have seized virtually all church
offices In Caeeho.
sloyakia and arrested priests who
resisted.
The informants said reports
from various parts Of the country
showed repressive measures against
the church are increasing Some
priests reported police charged
them with "incitlns unrest" after
they had read from the pulpit yes
terday the Catholic hierarchy
accusations OF deceit. fraud. kid
mapping and robbery against the
Communist government.
The denuncistion. in the form
OF a pastoral letter. was a virtual
white book catalogue OF alleged
anu-ehufch actions by the gov
eminent which II accused OF aim
Ing at the determination Of ihe
church OF Christ The letter told
Catholic communicates their
hour Of trial may be at hand
Letter widely Circulated.
Prague priests said they be-
lieved the pastoral letter. signed
by Archbishop josef Beran Of
Prague. Archbishop Josef Matoeha
OF Olomouc and the country A
other Catholic bishops. had re-
ceised wide circulation despite
police attempts 10 prevent ,he
letter from being read in pulpltx.
Priests have reported they were
warned In nieht police visits
against reading pastoral letters.
the only means for the hierarchy
10 tell its side Of the church
state figili since the Catholic
press was shut down by ,hs gov
eminent.
The pastoral letter supported
reports OF the seizure Of the arch
bishops administrative Offices nj
Prague and his virtual captivity
In his palace.
Churchmen said the govern
ment also took over nearly all sd-
ministrative offsces In the arch
diocese and the d!ocesek Of the
country and installed. instead. Of
ficials Of the Communist spon-
sored Catholic Action. an organ
tzation which the archbishop
has denounced a. tool Of the
state. Those who Joined willingly
have been accommodated.
Issuing Own Orders.
The few administrative ofsoss
still remaining In church hands
also will BE- taken over when old
church afiairs" are cleared up
there. the informants said
The informants saId sorns
priests who objected 70 giving Up
the Offices we're arrested Tney
said they had confirmation Of the
arrests OF two priests on the STAFF
Of Archbishop Msiocha--t.1e Ees
Josef Mosfek. his secretary. and
the Rev. Bruno Skisnovsxr. for
mer secretary OF Catholic Aetson.
the original eharch-sporaacred
group.
From the ooeupiet. osNees. the
Communist supported groups are
said To be issuing their own or
derk and attacks or the hierarchy.
In the Mira Diocese the action
committee confronted Bishop Ed
yard Nee<y with q demand that
Inc church stop pesalixins persons
aho joined the government sep.
arasists Catholic seton. TITS
xro,Ip accused the church Of mis-
asing it, authority for political
purposes" and terTurtx4ns ihoa~
who disagree with the hierarchy,
TIE sepsratssi group also s'as
aid 10 hare accused ts1s hierarchy
II baking q chEarefs-sssts agree
nens. The pastoral letter xsl6
hat under present circumstances I
10 church agreement To possible
We desire IN agreement. Tot Q
isrtax," kaad tse 4 6s0-woFd iet~
1See CZECH. Pare A-6.i