杏MAP导航

By Lydia O鈥橩ane

The history of the Church in Slovakia goes backs 1100 years. It tells us that in 880, after missionaries came to Great Moravia from Aquilea, and following the arrival of the Byzantine mission, 杏MAP导航 John VIII, established a Diocese in Nitra.

A church and its history

Fast forward to 1776, and on March 15 of that year 杏MAP导航 Pius VI, responding to the request of Empress Maria Theresa, established three new dioceses on the territory of present-day Slovakia: Banská Bystrica, Spi拧 and Ro啪n虒ava.

The Greek Catholic Diocese of Pre拧ov was set up in 1818.

With the dawn of the 20th century and the fall of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, new states came into existence in 1918, and several changes occurred in the ecclesiastic territorial jurisdiction.

In 1945, the Second World War II finally ended, bringing victory to the allies. Unfortunately, Slovakia continued to suffer and face new difficulties. In 1948, there was the communist "palace revolution".

In the intervening years, the Church was severely deprived of her most important institutions. Several bishops were imprisoned and the rest of them isolated in their homes, with limited access to the world. More than 300 diocesan priests were forbidden to perform their pastoral service. Many were left isolated or sent to concentration camps and prisons.

The so-called 鈥淰elvet Revolution鈥� in November 1989 saw the fall of the communist regime.  
One of the first positive signs following this event was the unhindered appointment of new bishops for all vacant dioceses. Towards the end of the 20th century, the Church in Slovakia had two cardinals (Jozef Tomko in Rome and Ján Chryzostom Korec in Nitra).

St John Paul II visited the Republic of Czechoslovakia on 21-22 April 1990. 

Challenges facing the Church in Slovakia today

Now, 杏MAP导航 Francis is coming to Slovakia, which is known for its deep and strong faith. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just a phrase,鈥� stresses the Auxilary Bishop of Ko拧ice, Marek Forgá膷. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a real fact which was tested in different periods of time during the history. Last time, it was the well-known period of communism, and they have quite a lot of martyrs and people who were persecuted and suffered during this period.鈥�

He goes on to say that 鈥渘ow the situation changes very much, from some point of view today鈥檚 situation seems to be even more difficult. After the so-called 鈥榁elvet Revolution鈥� Slovakia became part of the Western Civilization, and along with a lot of good things, Christians here are confronted with problems such as relativism and materialism, but I think that a lot of people look forward to meeting the 杏MAP导航.鈥�

He notes that ever-present in the western world today is the crisis of authority and the crisis of institutions, which, he says is also present among Christians in the Church. Young people, he points out, prefer 鈥渢o believe but not to belong to any religious institution and these are some challenges in our country, in the Church of Slovakia, and I believe that the visit of the Holy Father strengthens the faith of the people in Slovakia, especially young people and they are really looking forward to it.鈥�

Bishop Forgá膷 emphasizes that in a period where people have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 encouragement is needed at this time. 鈥淲e expect his message of peace and tranquility,鈥� he says.

Like other European countries, the Church in Slovakia is facing challenges, such as a lack of vocations to priesthood and the religious life. Bishop Forgá膷 also points out that statistically although up to 70% of people identify as being Christian in Slovakia, it is just a number. 鈥淲e have to look and see the reality, and we have to see that there is a certain crisis of Christian faith in our country,鈥� he says.

Youth meeting

During his career, the bishop used to be a university chaplain which gave him the chance to engage with young people and to see for himself the issues that affect them. He says that the 杏MAP导航 has the ability to speak to them in a way they can relate to. He also adds that one of the highlights for him during this visit will be the meeting with young people in Kosice, which he says will be an important moment for young people in Slovakia.

Byzantine Divine Liturgy

One of the highlights of 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� Apostolic Visit is the celebration of the Byzantine Divine Liturgy in memory of Greek Catholic martyrs which takes place in the square of the Mestská 拧portová hala in Pre拧ov.

鈥淭he Greek Catholic community,鈥� the Bishop explains, 鈥渋s still quite small regarding the numbers, but it鈥檚 very strong regarding the history. The Community was strongly persecuted during the communist era.鈥�

He also points out that the border between the Eastern and Western Church comes right through the country. 鈥淭he Greek Catholic community is one of those small Eastern Churches which are united with the 杏MAP导航 and thus they are like -using their technical term- an interface existing between the east and the west in the Church. And the 杏MAP导航 presiding over the Byzantine Divine Liturgy in Pre拧ov not only confirms that he often focuses on minorities but also confirms this connection between the east and the west.鈥�

Effects of the pandemic in Slovakia

As the COVID-19 continues to impact populations in both Europe and beyond, Bishop Forgá膷 explains that for people in Slovakia, restrictions due to the pandemic have been quite severe. For a lengthy period, he says, 鈥渁ll the churches were closed鈥� it was not possible even to visit the church.鈥� The feedback that the Bishop has been getting from his priests is that things are slowly getting back to normal, but that some people are still staying at home and not coming to church. 鈥淲e need to work pastorally, very hard, and we need to be very open for believers in Slovakia,鈥� Bishop Forgá膷 says, so that the faithful can come back to the Church just like they did in pre-pandemic times.

Hopes for visit

Asked what his hopes are for 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� visit to Slovakia, the Bishop says that 鈥渢he highest authority of the Catholic Church is coming and is bringing a message for us, and this may become a sort of enforcement of faith and strengthening of our faith.鈥�