COMMUNIQUE BY CONGREGATION ON CZECH "CLANDESTINE CHURCH"

VATICAN CITY, FEB 15, 2000 (VIS) - Made public yesterday afternoon was a statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on the "Clandestine Church" in the Czech Republic. It is dated February 11, 2000 and signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, respectively prefect and secretary of the congregation.

The statement is divided into five parts: Attitude of the Holy See; The solution of individual cases; Remaining problems; Clarifications and Conclusion. Following are excerpts:

"For a long time, the situation of the Church in the Czech Republic has been occupying the attention of the Holy See. The most troubling problem has been the question of clandestinely ordained bishops and priests. Notable progress has been made in the attempt to find a lasting solution, nonetheless difficulties remain and some clarification is required. Hence the need to precisely describe the relative events and documents, clear up misunderstandings and specify what Catholic doctrine has to say on the subject.

"Attitude of the Holy See. The Congregation has constantly adopted the attitude of respect and expectation. It did not wish in any way to wound the feelings of those who, for personal reasons, had no intention of accepting the criteria that the dicastery had adopted to solve an extremely delicate problem of conscience; a problem which, furthermore, involved people who had long suffered under the dark years of communism."

"The solution of individual cases. A large number of the clandestinely ordained celibate priests - about fifty in all - accepted the Pope's decision regarding 'conditional' ordination and have been admitted into pastoral ministry by their respective diocesan bishops.

"On September 16, 1997, Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches, informed the apostolic nunciature (Folio N. 115/90) that the Holy Father had regularized the juridical position of 22 married Latin priests who had also been clandestinely ordained, authorizing them to pass to the Byzantine-Slavic rite as full members of the exarchate for the faithful of that rite resident in the Czech Republic."

"Remaining problems. Some of the clandestinely ordained bishops and priests have not accepted the norms approved by the Holy Father.

"The main reason for the refusal of these priests was the 'conditional' ordination which they felt represented a lack of faith on the part of the Holy See, as they were firmly convinced that they had been legitimately ordained. Apart from this, there were also psychological motivations which must be respected, even though they cannot be shared.

"As was explained to them by their bishops, ... the 'sub condicione' ordination signified neither lack of faith nor an obstacle to their being accepted as priests.

"In reality, investigations into each individual case did not show that priestly ordination had always been carried out in a valid way."

"Being ordained 'sub condicione' meant only that, if their previous ordination was valid, the second ('conditional') ordination would have had no effect, given that they were already priests. If, on the other hand, the clandestine ordination had not been valid, then being ordained again they would be certain in conscience that they truly were priests."

"As regards married bishops, ... it is well known that the canonical law of the Catholic Church of both Latin and Oriental rite, as well as the ancient tradition of Oriental Churches not in communion with the Catholic Church, absolutely prohibits the compatibility of the married state with the office of bishop."

"Clarifications: The 'Clandestine Church'. Neither this name, nor the other of 'Church of the Catacombs' are justifiable. As a matter of fact, the individuals and groups who give themselves this title do not live in hiding, they are fully inserted into civil society. ... They are not persecuted like the Christians of the catacombs. ... If we must speak of clandestinity, it is unfortunately only in the sense that they celebrate the Eucharist or administer the sacraments for small groups of their followers, in private homes or places known to them alone.
"Illegality. These Masses, the administration of the sacraments and the other liturgical celebrations are forbidden. In fact, all celebrations by those who remove themselves from the authority of the Pope and the bishops are illegal."

"Conclusion. It is to be hoped that the situation will improve in the Czech Republic, where the Church has suffered so greatly under pressure from hostile authorities and where Christians are called to give consistent witness at all levels of public and ecclesial life."

"The bishops of the Czech Republic, as well as the apostolic nuncio are ready to collaborate in support of such union, in that spirit of service to which the Lord calls His followers."

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