An agreement between the Slovak government and the Holy See on the teaching of Catholic religion was reached on 9 July. “The agreement explained the spokesman of the Slovak Episcopal Conference, Msgr. Marian Gavenda in a statement to SirEurope regularizes a ‘practice’ already in force in Slovakia that provides for the teaching of religion in the second cycle of elementary and in the first two years of lower secondary schools in all state schools. What’s new is the introduction of the teaching of ‘religion’ or ‘ethics’ right from the first year of elementary school. A choice is offered between Catholic religion and ethics. Parents can also opt for the teaching of Catholic religion in kindergartens. The State for its part commits itself to funding Catholic schools in the same way it does state schools”. The agreement has not failed to arouse controversy in the country. The spokesman comments: “The first wave of criticisms came from the Ministries involved (education, finance, culture). The main accusation directed at the Church is that of wanting to reverse the secular character of the State; the discrimination against other religions and atheists is also lamented”. For the agreement to come into effect, its acceptance by the Vatican is needed: this is now awaited. “The government concludes Gavenda hopes that the agreement may be ratified before or during the Pope’s visit to Slovakia in September. Similar agreements are envisaged with the other churches”. Meanwhile, the deadline by which the President of the Slovak Republic must decide whether to ratify the new law on abortion expires on 23 July. The law permits the interruption of pregnancy up to the 24th week if malformations of the fetus are detected. “In this case too adds Gavenda the Church has been subjected to a frontal attack due to its firm opposition to this law”.
