PANEL DISCUSSION 2024

H. Em. Dominik Cardinal Duka :
GREETINGS AND BLESSINGS TO THE CONFERENCE

Ladies and gentlemen, dear attendees!

I would like to greet you in this city where the seat of archbishops or bishops is associated with the name of St. Adalbert, carried also by the prestigious Patrimonium Sancti Adalberti prize. St. Adalbert unites the peoples of Central Europe. He was a man whose significance extended beyond the then-small borders of the Bohemian principality, profoundly connecting us all. It was his mission that ultimately granted the church in our lands its independence. He was joined by his stepbrother, Radim-Gaudencius, and, in Hungary, by Anastaz-Astrik. We can say that this spiritual trinity has been active throughout the entire millennium. We can recall the names mentioned in the laureate's biography: Péter Pázmány, Primate of the Kingdom of Hungary, Cardinal Dietrichstein in Olomouc, Cardinal Harrach in Prague, and Cardinal Hosius in Poland. A sense of spiritual unity endures. Yes, we recall the year 1956 – Poznan, Budapest – and later, in 1953 – Pilsen. Even this period of time is marked by prominent spiritual figures, with the foremost place of suffering held by Cardinal Mindszenty, Polish Primate Wyszyński, and Cardinal Beran. We might also add Cardinal Stepinac, though technically he was not a Primate. Rather, we should name Cardinal Slipyj of Lviv, who was Primate in the Galician part of the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy. I believe these are important facts to recognise, as it was this deep spiritual dedication that has shaped Central Europe.

Yesterday, a treaty was signed between the Holy See and the Czech Republic. I was able to highlight in many places that the very first concordat was the baptism of Saint Bořivoj and Saint Ludmila, as they were bound by their baptismal vows. Anyway, the elements we can consider decisive steps were those that St. Adalbert emphasised to the Czech envoys in the presence of the Pope: marriage and slavery. The ecclesiastical matters followed, such as the construction of churches and tithes.

I believe that this gives us reason to be proud as citizens of Central Europe because we know that family is the foundation of society, the foundation of the state. Without family, none of us would have come into the world, and if we choose a different path, we cannot foresee the consequences. But we do know that what has been happening so far is disastrous.

Another essential aspect is freedom: freedom of the individual, freedom of the country, and freedom of the nation. I believe the term "nation" should be understood in its classical sense, as populus Romanus – the people living within a given territory.

The birth of the Visegrad Four also had an impact on yesterday's events, as the first impulse to sign this treaty came in Gniezno, at the original tomb of St. Adalbert, where four prime ministers met. Where should I begin? I must start with the host country. Prime Minister Buzek, Prime Minister Zeman, Prime Minister Dzurinda, and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. I have known these leaders since that time; the oldest among them was the Polish Prime Minister, and then myself. I was there only in the role of spiritual accompaniment. Yet in our discussion with the Polish Primate, Archbishop Muszyński, a clear awareness emerged that without spiritual foundations – baptism as the foundation and entrance into the Christian community – no further development would be possible. And it is in this spirit that we come to realise that the challenge of hegemony runs much deeper, and that individuality, along with internal and external freedom, forms a vital part of the life of each individual, society, and nation.

May the almighty and merciful God bless, strengthen, and enlighten you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit through the intercession of those mentioned above, especially St. Adalbert, whom you have honoured as patron. Amen. I wish you a beautiful evening. I apologise as I will be very busy tomorrow with my spiritual duties. Thank you once again, and goodbye.