Proceedings against Orthodox Church in Czech Republic dropped
Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic. Photo: Wikipedia.cz
The Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia has retained its special rights after administrative proceedings against it were discontinued, UOJ in the Czech Republic reports.
On February 6, 2026, the Czech Ministry of Culture halted proceedings that had been launched on December 2, 2025, amid the economic crisis in the Prague Eparchy. The ministry made the decision after the Church settled all of its obligations to the state and to its employees. Had the case ended differently, the eparchy could have lost the right to register marriages, send chaplains to the army and prisons, and preserve the confidentiality of confession.
Ministry spokesman Petr Šimůnek confirmed that the case had been closed. Despite the repayment of the debts, the Church’s financial situation remains strained. In recent months, staff cuts and dismissals of part of the clergy, including psalmists, have taken place. The dismissal orders were dated March 13, 2026, and signed by Archbishop Michael of Prague and the Czech Lands.
As the UOJ previously reported, the Prague Eparchy had earlier carried out mass dismissals of clergy amid bankruptcy and unpaid wages. The crisis affected not only clerics but also laypeople working in diocesan structures.
Read also
In Baltimore, hundreds of people gathered at a satanic event
More than 23,000 people have signed a petition against holding a satanic gathering in Baltimore.
In Germany, a Bishop of Constantinople Prayed with Catholics and Lutherans
The ecumenical concelebration concluded with the distribution of safety carabiners to all those present as a symbol of support and trust.
Foreign Christians Repented in the Knesset for Weak Assistance to Israel
Foreign Christians' repentance in the Israeli parliament has been criticized on social media.
HUR: Opinion polls prove religious rights are not violated in Ukraine
A representative of the intelligence service, Andrii Yusov, stated that society does not confirm any facts of religious persecution in the country.
Mass production of kosher bread launched in Bukovyna
Representatives of the Jewish community called the mass production of kosher bread at the regional level one of the few examples in Ukraine.
Pat. Porfirije: people's faithfulness more important than number of pilgrims to Belt
The Serbian Orthodox Church reported the number of believers who came to venerate the Belt of the Mother of God.