Dominik Duka
Czech Catholic cleric; Archbishop of Prague
Dominik Jaroslav Duka (26 April 1943–) is a Czech cardinal, who is the 36th Archbishop of Prague. He previously served as Bishop of Hradec Králové.
Quotes
edit- Our main task was and remains pastoral care and evangelization. Here, too, we should be well aware that society is in constant motion and that we must reflect on our activities in order to be on the level of time. We cannot offer formulas to today's man. We must do evangelism in a spirit of deep humility and an invitation to dialogue. Let's discuss, let's talk, let's look. The principles of the Gospel that we proclaim are also the principles of our civilization, which grew out of ancient Jewish heritage, but which was also enriched by Germanic, Celtic and Slavic influence. The new technologies -- microphones, phones, televisions, the internet and others that today's times have to offer -- must be used, but also with caution. Let us not encourage propaganda and ultimate expressions. These are just elements of the time that we need to address society so that it can somehow understand us. The new is not the essence, but the approach in reality is. In a secularized society, we then face the question of how, on the one hand, not to sell off all the values we have and, on the other hand, not to close ourselves and say that culture ended in the 17th or 18th century. We are in the 21st century, in the middle of globalization. And so not only the Catholic Church but also the whole Christian world has to rethink how to share the message of Christ to the future generations. At the same time, we should also realize that Christianity is not a declining religion. This may seem to be reality to us in Europe, but it is not the reality worldwide, as the number of Christians has almost doubled in the last century.
- Czech cardinal: Coronavirus crisis is drawing people to the Catholic Church (December 18, 2020)
- I consider myself neither a progressive nor a traditionalist. We must follow the Church's teaching on the teaching function of the Pope, the College of Bishops and the Second Vatican Council. The Pope's pronouncements as head of the Church concern faith and morals — and not other matters, such as political issues.
