THE BISHOPS of Bohemia and Moravia during their visit to Rome between February 11-17 asked Pope Francis to meet with former archbishop of Trnava Róbert Bezák, the bishop of Ostrava-Opava František Václav Lobkowicz Opraem said in an interview with the Czech Christian television channel Noe, as reported by the TASR newswire.
Bezák was officially removed as archbishop on July 2, 2012, upon publication of an announcement in L’Osservatore Romano, the official daily newspaper of the Vatican. The Conference of Slovak Bishops (KBS) followed with a short statement: “Based on an apostolic visitation which took place between January 22 and February 1, 2012, the Holy Father recalled Róbert Bezák from pastoral management of the Trnava Archdiocese. We accept the decision of the Holy Father in the spirit of faith and filial obedience and we are asking for blessings for the Church in Slovakia.” Both the Vatican and the Slovak bishops refused to explain the reasons for the decision and Bezák was forbidden from discussing the issue publicly.
His case stirred wide public and media attention. At the end of 2013 Bezák moved to Italy.
"The Holy Father is aware of the issue. It was obvious from his response that this case is not unknown to him," said Lobkowicz in the interview, as quoted by TASR, adding that he hopes the case will move forward. "I personally have to say again that I don't know why Róbert Bezák was removed."
"The Slovak Bishops Conference doesn't interfere in either the appointment or removal of bishops," said Slovak Bishops Conference spokesman Jozef Kováčik, as quoted by TASR.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Michaela Terenzani from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information
presented in its Flash News postings.
