Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-03-25
The Week in Religion
By Religious News Service

Current Developments tend to
confirm fears expressed by Vati-
can circles a year ago that the
Czechoslovak Communist govern
ment was planning to set up
national Catholic Church separ-
ated from Rome.
In March. 1850, Msgr. Ottavio de
Liva, the last remaining link be-
tween the Holy See and Arch
bishop Josef Beran of Prague. the
nations top-ranking prelate. was
ordered to leave CzechoSlovakia for
alleged subversive activities against
the State.
Now, IL months later, Arch
bishop Beran has been banished
by the government from the
Prague archdiocese and his place
taken by capitular vicar-Fath-
e. Josef Stehlik-bound by an
oath of loyalty to the Communist
regime.
The custer of Msgr. de Liva and
the Punishment of Archbishop
Beran are merely highlights in
determined campaign waged by
the government with the apparent
purpose of creating a schisrn in
the ranks of the country's mil
lion Catholics.
Suspended Priest Restored.
Last week, the Prague ordinari-
ate announced that it had revoked
an action taken by Archbishop
Beran in 1948-the suspension
from his priestly duties of Father
Joseph Plojhar, Minister of Health.
for his political activities.
Since only Archbishop Beran is
economically empowered to restore
Father Plojhar's right to say mass
and perform other priestly func-
tons. the action of the Prague
ordinariate in flouting church law
implies that a group inside the
Catholic Church in Czechoslovakia
is already operating as a law unto
itself.
Conspicuously affiliated with this
group are four bishops who re-
Gently took the loyalty oath, fol-
lowing the previously lone example
Of Auxiliary Bishop Josef Eltschk-
ner of Prague. Speaking over the
Prague radio, one of the bishops
declared that I'VE are opposed to
the Vatican decree excommuni-
eating persons for political rea-
SONS"
This statement, coming from a
bishop. means that schism has
developed aimed ultimately at the
setting up of new Catholic body
independent of Rome. 1t recalls
the schism of 1920 when large
numbers left the Catholic Church
to form the Czechoslovak Church.
which now claims about a million
adherents.
In September, 1949, Father Plo-
thar branded as false charges
that government leaders were
planning to organize new
church through the medium of a
Catholic action organization which
the regime had set up in defiance
of ecclesiastical authorities who
denounced the group as illegal and
schismatic.
Stage Methodically Set.
However. subsequent events null
lily Father Plojhar's disavowal of
the government intentions. Be-
ginning with the introduction of
new church control laws in jan
uary. 1949. which put all clergy
men on a state-paid, civil service
basis. the government in one
measure after another has set the
stage for break away of Czecho-
slovak Catholics from Rome.
The process has involved plac-
ing Communist officials in charge
of all chancery Offices, organizing
a rigid surveillance and political
1ndoctrination" of the clergy,
abolishing the diocesan seminaries
and replacing them with two
state-controled theological schools
and organizing public trials Of
high-ranking clergymen on
charges of treason and espionage.
More significant still has been
the elimination of all Wears gen.
eral appointed by the bishops and
their replacement by oath-suh-
scribing loyal priests. In the
same manner. the government has
ousted the canons of the various