Reds will select and instruct all candidates to priesthood
ALL Czechoslovakia's theological sdlools and seminaries have been abolished, and selection and instruction of candidates to the priesthood has been taken over by the Communist Government.
This has been announced in the official Governnent Gazette, which said that the decree had been signed by Prime Minister Zopotocky, and the head of the State Church Office, lierlinger. Catholic, Evangelical. Baptist, and Czech Brethren theological schools are to he replaced by State-controlled institutes. The decree also ordered the establishment of an Orthodox theological school. No Orthodox school has previously existed in Czechoslovakia. All rectors heading the new schools and instructors teaching in them will be appointed by Fierlinger. who will also decide the " spheres of work " of each school, said the announcement. His office will also decide who shall be admitted to the new schools and will " specify the title of the graduates." `The students will have the duty to work with all their power so as to fulfil the plan of study and so that they may become patriotic priests or preachers who will sincerely help the people," said the announcement.
The Gazette. said that all Catholic studies will he concentrated in institutes to be established in Prague and Bratislava. Both institutes will be known as the Catholic Theological Faculty of St. Cyril and St. Methodius.