The relation between the Communist Party of Slovakia and the political Catholicism in Slovakia in 1945-1947 Cover Image

Vzťah komunistickej strany Slovenska a politického katolicizmu na Slovensku v rokoch 1945 -1947
The relation between the Communist Party of Slovakia and the political Catholicism in Slovakia in 1945-1947

Author(s): Marek Syrný
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Recent History (1900 till today), WW II and following years (1940 - 1949), History of Communism
Published by: Historický ústav SAV
Keywords: Communist Party of Slovakia (CPS); Democratic Party (DP); Slovakia; political Catholicism;
Summary/Abstract: After World War II, only two political parties – the Communist Party of Slovakia (CPS) and the Democratic Party (DP) – were legal. After the War, it was impossible for the political Catholicism, compromised by the participation in the totalitarian regime of the First Slovak Republic and collaboration with the Nazi Germany, to be represented by its own political party. Shortly after the 1945 Liberation, both the DP and the CPS made attempts to integrate noncompromised Catholic politicians. The relatively good relationship between the CPS and the political Catholicism lasted until the Church educational system was nationalized. This act of carried out by the CPS was strongly contested and the Catholic politicians decided to initiate the process of forming a Catholic political party. Their decision was later supported by the CPS because such a party seemed to be an appropriate instrument for weakening the influence of the Democratic Party. But after the political Catholicism got integrated into the DP, the Communists responded with constant attacks directed against the Party. In autumn 1947, the pressure culminated in an event referred to as the conspiracy against the State. As a result, the leading representatives of the political Catholicism and politicians of the DP were accused by the State Police influenced by the CPS of collaborating with illegal groups. That was why some Catholic politicians demanded consensus with and moderate policy towards the CPS.

  • Page Range: 137-153
  • Page Count: 17
  • Publication Year: 2006
  • Language: Slovak