Prague, April 23 (CTK) – The proposal that the state ownership of the properties within the complex of Prague Castle, which are now owned by the state, be embedded in a special law has been made by the opposition Communists (KSCM), party head Vojtech Filip has told CTK.
Prague Castle has been the seat of the Czech heads of state.
The legislation would also touch on the agreement on property settlement between Prague Castle and the Catholic Church of March. On the other hand, it would not cover the buildings that are already private owned, Filip said.
“The bill aims to protect the state property now that some steps have been taken that practically go beyond the limits of what the law on church restitution allows,” Filip said hinting at the agreement between Castle and the Catholic Church.
Based on it, the Metropolitan Chapter will be returned the Provost’s Residence building, the All Saints Chapter will gain the All Saints’ Church and one of the neo-Gothic buildings known as Mocker houses. The Religious Foundation will gain the St George’s Convent. The church will give up claims to another seven properties within Prague Castle.
Filip said the agreement has not yet been signed by authorised persons and that is why it is not legally valid.
“The law would prevent the property of state from being treated this way,” Filip said.
Before it goes to parliament, the bill is yet to be discussed by the government.
The bill explicitly defines the St Vitus’s Cathedral a part of the Prague Castle complex. The bill also says the law on property settlement with churches and religious communities does not apply to the Castle complex.
The law on property settlement between the state and churches was passed in late 2012 and took effect as from 2013.
Based on it, churches will be returned their former property confiscated by the communist regime, and given financial compensation for the property that cannot be returned.
The compensation will total 59 billion crowns plus inflation during 30 years. Most of the sum, 47.2 billion crowns, is to go to the Roman Catholic Church.
($1=24.014 crowns)
