Thursday, February 23, 2012

Duka's becoming cardinal stresses weight of Czech church - Klaus

The appointment of Prague Archbishop Dominik Duka, 68, as cardinal has confirmed the importance of Czech Catholics and their contribution to the church's effort to advocate Christian values, President Vaclav Klaus said in a letter of congratulations to Duka on Tuesday. 

Along with Duka, Pope Benedict XVI appointed another 22 new cardinals at the weekend.

Duka, primate of the Czech Catholic Church, has become the 22nd cardinal from the Czech Lands.

After his stay in Rome, Duka returned to the Czech Republic this morning.

Upon return, he first bowed to the relics of Saint Vojtech (Adalbert) at Saint Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle and then met Klaus.

"I consider the Pope's decision a major step indicating his attitude to the present and future heading of the church," Klaus wrote.

"For me, the decision means the confirmation of the contribution of Czech Catholics to the effort of the church to advocate basic Christian values in the present-day world," Klaus added.

He wrote that Duka was one of the prominent representatives of the public life and his voice was indispensable in the discussion on present-day topics.

"As a cardinal and Prague archbishop you follow up a series of your predecessors who were among the outstanding personalities of their time," he added.

Duka and Klaus have recently presented all but the same positions on a number of public themes. Some have criticised Duka for his views being too much close to Klaus.

Duka says he is not involved in politics. He says he respects Klaus as he respected his predecessor, former president Vaclav Havel.

Along with his predecessor, former Prague archbishop Miloslav Vlk, Duka is a second living Czech cardinal, who has been historically exceptional.