This morning, Friday 25 May, the Holy Father Benedict XVI received in audience Petr
Necas, prime minister of the Czech Republic. The prime minister subsequently went
on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. who was accompanied
by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.
During
the cordial discussions mention was first made of His Holiness' apostolic trip to
the Czech Republic in 2009, after which attention turned to certain themes of mutual
interest. On the subject of a draft bill on ecclesiastical property, currently being
examined by the Chamber of Deputies, the hope was expressed that the legislative process
would come to an equitable conclusion, so as effectively to respect the contribution
the Catholic Church makes to the entire country.
The two sides affirmed their
desire to regulate relations between Church and State by means of an Agreement, and
expressed their intention of maintaining regular and constructive dialogue at various
institutional levels.