“A deplorable event.” Czech bishops react to the baptism of Zeman’s Conspiracy

Last week, former President Miloš Zeman ceremoniously christened the new book “The Conspiracy” by Radim Panenka and Luboš Procházka in Prague’s Archbishop’s Palace. Among those present were Cardinal Dominik Duka, who wrote the afterword to the book, KSČM chairperson Kateřina Konečná and actress Jiřina Bohdalová.

However, the event drew criticism from many believers. And according to the newly issued statement, the Czech Bishops’ Conference (ČBK) also took a critical stance towards it. It bothers her that the baptism took place on the premises of the Archbishop’s Palace, which she perceives as a “regrettable event”.

“We are aware of the outrage it has caused among people, which is evidenced by a considerable number of reactions, especially from the ranks of Catholics. We understand these reactions, we hear them and we take them seriously,” the bishops of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia assure in a statement.

According to them, the Czech Primate Jan Graubner, the Archbishop of Prague, did not have all the necessary information regarding the event at his disposal when he negotiated the lease. The archbishop subsequently distanced himself from the baptism and its course.

The Czech Bishops’ Conference wants to prevent similar situations in the future, which is why it has taken measures to organize public events in church premises. “When renting these spaces, the church and secular dimensions of such events will be consistently separated, including the appropriateness of the presence of a church representative,” writes ČBK on its website.

Check out the pictures from the book launch in the Archbishop’s Palace: