A treaty between Slovakia and the Holy See is expected to be signed by President Rudolf Schuster this week, prior to Schuster´s visit to the Vatican, according to Transitions Online.
The treaty guarantees the ability of the Catholic Church to choose its clergy and hierarchy without state involvement, the news service said Monday. Members of the Church are also granted the right to a Catholic education. Furthermore, the Church will agree to help the Slovak state in matters pertaining to social services, humanity and morality in society, the service said.
Jan Fige, Slovakia´s chief negotiator for European Union accession, described the treaty as «an important step in establishing the modern international relations of the Slovak Republic. From the political, diplomatic, cultural and spiritual points, the Holy See is an internationally acknowledged partner of importance.»
