Difference between revisions of "User:AK/Militant atheism"
From Conservapedia
< User:AK
(→Czechoslovakia: grammar) |
(→Czechoslovakia: Add. "You ... can use the original ....Sovak language in the quotes section of the references. ") |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
====Czechoslovakia==== | ====Czechoslovakia==== | ||
| − | When [[communists]] seized power in former [[Czechoslovakia]] in February 1948, part of their agenda was also a fight against “dangerous ideological enemy that holds enormous influence | + | When [[communists]] seized power in former [[Czechoslovakia]] in February 1948, part of their agenda was also a fight against “dangerous ideological enemy that holds enormous influence over the masses”.<ref name="NMMI1">{{cite web|author=NMI|url= http://www.upn.gov.sk/obdobie-1945-1989/likvidacia-klastorov-v-komunistickom-ceskoslovensku-barbarska-noc|title= Likvidácia kláštorov v komunistickom Československu – Barbarská noc (“Eradication of monasteries in communist Czechoslovakia – Barbaric night”)|publisher=[http://www.upn.gov.sk/v2/index.php?page=about-nations-memory-institute Nation's Memory Institute]|date=2011|quote=Už pred rokom 1948 považovali československí komunisti rehole za dôležitý náboženský organizmus, ktorý neželateľne vplýva na obyvateľstvo a usmerňuje ho. Po uchopení moci komunistickou stranou vo februári 1948 sa mohli ich plány namierené proti reholiam uskutočniť. Prvé zásahy voči jednotlivým kláštorom sa objavovali už od leta 1948, kedy boli tieto, pod zámienkou že sú centrami protištátnej činnosti, likvidované. Hoci ich nebolo veľa, naznačovali smer, ktorým sa bude vývoj uberať. Realizácia plánov, ktoré štátna moc s rehoľami mala, sa kvôli iným akciám (ako bola napr. schizmatická Katolícka akcia v júni 1949, príprava tzv. cirkevných zákonov na jeseň 1949) mohla uskutočniť až v prvej polovici roku 1950. ...Po akcii „K“ sa v noci z 3. na 4. mája 1950 uskutočnila aj akcia „K2“, v rámci ktorej boli obsadené aj zvyšné mužské kláštory. Týmito dvoma zásahmi bolo na Slovensku postihnutých 1180 rehoľníkov z 15 reholí, žijúcich v 76 kláštoroch. Po týchto dvoch akciách boli rehoľníci na Slovensku sústredení do kláštorov v Mučeníkoch (dnes Močenok), Hronskom Beňadiku, Podolínci, Kostolnej a v Báči. Režim v tzv. sústreďovacích kláštoroch sa riadil podľa pravidiel blízkych väznici. Popri práci (lepenie vrecúšok, preberanie šípok, stolárske a krajčírske práce, práce v poľnohospodárstve) mali rehoľníci vyhradený čas na politickú prevýchovu. Komunikácia s vonkajším svetom bola úplne vylúčená, alebo sa obmedzovala na minimum. Najprísnejší režim bol v kláštore v Podolínci, kde sa nachádzal najväčší počet rehoľníkov. Objekt bol strážený ozbrojenou strážou so psami, pričom na strážnu službu boli určovaní strážcovia z Leopoldova a iných väzníc. Na budove kláštora boli postupne zamrežované okná a inštalovaný ostatný drôt. Na nádvorí bola vybudovaná strážna veža a okolie bolo v noci osvetľované reflektormi. Rehoľníci, ktorí porušili predpísaný poriadok boli trestaní samoväzbou v pivnici.... V týchto kláštoroch sa akcia zopakovala v noci za asistencie príslušníkov Zboru národnej bezpečnosti, Ľudových milícií a Štátnej bezpečnosti. V akcii „R“ bolo v dňoch 28. – 31. augusta 1950 sústredených 1962 rehoľníčok a obsadených 137 objektov. Rehoľníčky boli sústredené v 16 sústreďovacích kláštoroch. ... Po obsadení kláštorov boli nešetrným zaobchádzaním zo strany štátnych orgánov zničené knižnice a rozkradnuté mnohé vzácne rukopisy, tlače, obrazy a nábytok. Samotné budovy získali najmä krajské a miestne národné výbory, rôzne administratívne úrady, telovýchovné spolky, detské domovy a pod. Komunistická štátna moc nazerala na rehole ako na nebezpečného ideologického nepriateľa, ktorý má značný vplyv na masy. Išlo však aj o hnuteľný a nehnuteľný majetok, ktorý rehole spravovali. V správe pre politický sekretariát ÚV KSČ, ktorá bilancovala získané materiálne hodnoty, bol výsledok akcie označený za najväčší majetkový presun od privlastnenia majetku Nemcov, „znárodnenia“ a pozemkovej reformy. Inak povedané, išlo o rozsahom tretiu najväčšiu krádež od roku 1945. Najbolestnejším dôsledkom zásahov však boli strastiplné osudy tisícok rehoľníkov a rehoľníčok, ktorí sa na niekoľko desaťročí stali prenasledovanou skupinou občanov.}}<!--Destruction of monasteries in communist Czechoslovakia - barbaric night |
Already before 1948 the Czechoslovak Communists regarded religious Orders as an important entity that holds an inconvenient influence over population and that is capable of forming its further opinion. After seizing the power in February 1948 by the Communist Party their plans, aimed against religious Orders, gained the important room for being brought into real life. First actions against monasteries took place already in the summer of 1948 when they were closed under the pretext that they are centers of anti-state activities. Although they were not many closed at that time, these events indicated the direction the further development will take. The implementation of already worked-out plans against religious Orders was postponed by state power due to other actions of the regime (such as Schismatic Catholic Action in June 1949, the preparation of so-called Ecclesiastical laws in the autumn of 1949), thus it could take place only in the first half of 1950. | Already before 1948 the Czechoslovak Communists regarded religious Orders as an important entity that holds an inconvenient influence over population and that is capable of forming its further opinion. After seizing the power in February 1948 by the Communist Party their plans, aimed against religious Orders, gained the important room for being brought into real life. First actions against monasteries took place already in the summer of 1948 when they were closed under the pretext that they are centers of anti-state activities. Although they were not many closed at that time, these events indicated the direction the further development will take. The implementation of already worked-out plans against religious Orders was postponed by state power due to other actions of the regime (such as Schismatic Catholic Action in June 1949, the preparation of so-called Ecclesiastical laws in the autumn of 1949), thus it could take place only in the first half of 1950. | ||
| − | Immediate preparation for action "K" (Monasteries) was the trial of ten representatives of the Orders who were accused of treason and espionage. The role of the process was to prepare justification of the whole action against the religious Orders and manipulate the public opinion in favour of these plans. After a thorough "processing" of the State Security investigators the members of religious Orders were “admitting” their "anti-state activities", hatred for "the establishment of people’s democracy", having sympathy for the "imperialism", the illegal manufacturing of various leaflets, the concealment of "enemy agents", weapons and valuables. The final verdict sentenced one of the accused (coincidentally the only one from Slovakia – Redemptorist Ján Mastiliak) to life imprisonment whereas all other sentences were | + | Immediate preparation for action "K" (Monasteries) was the trial of ten representatives of the Orders who were accused of treason and espionage. The role of the process was to prepare justification of the whole action against the religious Orders and manipulate the public opinion in favour of these plans. After a thorough "processing" of the State Security investigators the members of religious Orders were “admitting” their "anti-state activities", hatred for "the establishment of people’s democracy", having sympathy for the "imperialism", the illegal manufacturing of various leaflets, the concealment of "enemy agents", weapons and valuables. The final verdict sentenced one of the accused (coincidentally the only one from Slovakia – Redemptorist Ján Mastiliak) to life imprisonment whereas all other sentences were totaling 132 years. |
The very implementation of the action was handed over to State security service [[StB]]. There was conducted reconnaissance of monasteries to find out the number of their inhabitants. The police corps, military and communist militias was supposed to join too. They should be armed with rifles, sub-machine guns, light machine guns, batons and gas candles. The action day was determined to take place on Thursday, 13 April 1950 at 24.00hrs. | The very implementation of the action was handed over to State security service [[StB]]. There was conducted reconnaissance of monasteries to find out the number of their inhabitants. The police corps, military and communist militias was supposed to join too. They should be armed with rifles, sub-machine guns, light machine guns, batons and gas candles. The action day was determined to take place on Thursday, 13 April 1950 at 24.00hrs. | ||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
After the action "K", the second action took place during the night from 3rd to 4thof May 1950, designated as "K2". This one targeted the remaining male monasteries that become subject of another occupation. The two interventions affected in total 1180 people from 15 Orders living in 76 monasteries. After these two events the relocated monks in Slovakia were concentrated in following monasteries: Monastery of the martyrs (now Močenok) Hronský Beňadik, Podolinec-Kostolná and Báč. | After the action "K", the second action took place during the night from 3rd to 4thof May 1950, designated as "K2". This one targeted the remaining male monasteries that become subject of another occupation. The two interventions affected in total 1180 people from 15 Orders living in 76 monasteries. After these two events the relocated monks in Slovakia were concentrated in following monasteries: Monastery of the martyrs (now Močenok) Hronský Beňadik, Podolinec-Kostolná and Báč. | ||
| − | The strict regime in concentrating monasteries was governed virtually by prison rules. In addition to forced-labor (sticking bags, picking rose-hips, carpentry and tailoring, work in agriculture) there was reserved dedicated time for political re-education. Communication with the outside world was completely eliminated or limited to a very minimum. The most stringent regime was in the monastery in Podolínec where there was the greatest number of men put together. The building was guarded by armed guards with dogs, and guard duty members were narrowly selected from the Leopoldov (famous state prison) and other prisons. At the monastery building the barbed wires were gradually installed and windows got equipped with lattice bars. The watch tower was built in the courtyard and surrounding area of monastery was illuminated by night lights. Monks who violated the prescribed codes of | + | The strict regime in concentrating monasteries was governed virtually by prison rules. In addition to forced-labor (sticking bags, picking rose-hips, carpentry and tailoring, work in agriculture) there was reserved dedicated time for political re-education. Communication with the outside world was completely eliminated or limited to a very minimum. The most stringent regime was in the monastery in Podolínec where there was the greatest number of men put together. The building was guarded by armed guards with dogs, and guard duty members were narrowly selected from the Leopoldov (famous state prison) and other prisons. At the monastery building the barbed wires were gradually installed and windows got equipped with lattice bars. The watch tower was built in the courtyard and surrounding area of monastery was illuminated by night lights. Monks who violated the prescribed codes of behavior got punished by being put to solitary confinement localized in the basement. |
After the completion of actions 'K' the attention turned onto the women's religious orders. The action targeting the destruction of monasteries of nuns was given the name "R" (rehoľníčky, nuns in Slovak). In their case, the procedure was supposed to be applied in more moderate way, with assuming their "voluntary" removal from monasteries and only if they would resist, the help of security services would be called to take action. The action "R" itself was initiated on the 29th of August in 1950 at 8.00 a.m. in the morning. In the course of this action however there were about 15 locations in Slovakia where citizens who disagreed with the destruction of religious communities gathered together. In several places people occupied the monasteries and did not allow for displacement of nuns to take place, while there were also sharp confrontations and attacks on present governmental officials. In these monasteries the action had to be repeated at night with the assistance of the Police Corps, communist militias and state security service. In total, there was 1962 people displaced and 137 women religious objects occupied and acquired during the action "R" on 28–31 August in 1950. Nuns were brought together in 16 concentrating monasteries. Another more than 1,600 nuns, however, had to remain working in hospitals because the state system could not find an adequate substitute for them. | After the completion of actions 'K' the attention turned onto the women's religious orders. The action targeting the destruction of monasteries of nuns was given the name "R" (rehoľníčky, nuns in Slovak). In their case, the procedure was supposed to be applied in more moderate way, with assuming their "voluntary" removal from monasteries and only if they would resist, the help of security services would be called to take action. The action "R" itself was initiated on the 29th of August in 1950 at 8.00 a.m. in the morning. In the course of this action however there were about 15 locations in Slovakia where citizens who disagreed with the destruction of religious communities gathered together. In several places people occupied the monasteries and did not allow for displacement of nuns to take place, while there were also sharp confrontations and attacks on present governmental officials. In these monasteries the action had to be repeated at night with the assistance of the Police Corps, communist militias and state security service. In total, there was 1962 people displaced and 137 women religious objects occupied and acquired during the action "R" on 28–31 August in 1950. Nuns were brought together in 16 concentrating monasteries. Another more than 1,600 nuns, however, had to remain working in hospitals because the state system could not find an adequate substitute for them. | ||
After the occupation of the monasteries there were many libraries destroyed due to rough treatment by state authorities; valuable manuscripts, prints, paintings and furniture was stolen as well. The buildings acquired were handed over to various regional and local state administrative offices, sport clubs, orphanages etc. Communist state power perceived the Orders as the dangerous ideological enemy, who has considerable influence over the masses. But the action was also about the properties, real estates and other assets managed by religious orders. The report addressed to the political secretariat of the Central Communist Committee, that evaluated obtained material assets, described the result of action as the largest property transfer from the time of confiscation of the properties of displaced Germans, seizure of private enterprises by state and land reform. In other words, it was the third largest extent of “legalized” theft since 1945. However, the most painful result of the intervention was the sorrowful fate of thousands of religious men and women, who became for decades the citizen group subject of persecution by state. | After the occupation of the monasteries there were many libraries destroyed due to rough treatment by state authorities; valuable manuscripts, prints, paintings and furniture was stolen as well. The buildings acquired were handed over to various regional and local state administrative offices, sport clubs, orphanages etc. Communist state power perceived the Orders as the dangerous ideological enemy, who has considerable influence over the masses. But the action was also about the properties, real estates and other assets managed by religious orders. The report addressed to the political secretariat of the Central Communist Committee, that evaluated obtained material assets, described the result of action as the largest property transfer from the time of confiscation of the properties of displaced Germans, seizure of private enterprises by state and land reform. In other words, it was the third largest extent of “legalized” theft since 1945. However, the most painful result of the intervention was the sorrowful fate of thousands of religious men and women, who became for decades the citizen group subject of persecution by state. | ||
| − | According to the study: Letz, Robert: Persecution of Christians in Slovakia in 1948–1989. In: Miklosko, F. – Smolíková, G. – Smolik, P.: Crimes of Communism in Slovakia 1948–1989 (1). | + | According to the study: Letz, Robert: Persecution of Christians in Slovakia in 1948–1989. In: Miklosko, F. – Smolíková, G. – Smolik, P.: Crimes of Communism in Slovakia 1948–1989 (1). Prešov: Publishing Michael Vasek, 2001, p. 128–142 |
Further reading: | Further reading: | ||
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
Korec, John Chrysostom: The barbaric night. Bratislava: Luc, 1990. | Korec, John Chrysostom: The barbaric night. Bratislava: Luc, 1990. | ||
Macák, Ernest: Notes from behind bars. Bratislava: Publishing Don Bosco, 1996. | Macák, Ernest: Notes from behind bars. Bratislava: Publishing Don Bosco, 1996. | ||
| − | Petrik, Vincent: Last villa. Cambridge, Canada: Good book, 1990.--></ref> Thus, the [[monasteries]] had been seized by state security service ([[StB]]) during three so called “barbaric nights” in 1950. In total, 3142 people were displaced by force into concentrating monasteries. These were in case of male members of [[religious order|orders]] virtually turned into [[Internment|prison camps]] or [[Labor camp#Labor camps in various countries#Czechoslovakia|labor camps]] secured with guards and strict regime aiming the “political re-education” of [[monk]]s. The 213 monastery buildings and facilities were confiscated by state and content of many ancient precious libraries that survived even Turko-Tatar attacks in the [[middle ages]] was scrapped and used for cardboard production.”<ref>{{cite web|author=NMI|url=http://www.upn.gov.sk/obdobie-1945-1989/vypovede-pamatnikov-o-barbarskej-noci|title= Likvidácia kláštorov v komunistickom Československu – Barbarská noc, výpovede svedkov (“Eradication of monasteries in communist Czechoslovakia – Barbaric night, reports of witnesses”)|publisher=[http://www.upn.gov.sk/v2/index.php?page=about-nations-memory-institute Nation's Memory Institute]|date=2011|quote=Teodor Hlaváč: After internment in Podolínec.""One man took his stand in front of all, at this place we used to have gatherings twice a day, and while facing us he started his speech: "Well, the oldest of you, noble biggies, especially those with big bellies, can get ready to scrub the stairs while youngsters will start learning innovative songs of progress. "That's how many of them were humiliated, the youngest of us including me were however on one occasion loaded into the bus in September 1950 and transported to Prešov. There at military headquarters we were told that we had become soldiers who are obliged to start military service within three days in the 53rd auxiliary technical Battalion in one town of northern Moravia that was called Libava. Indeed, this happened exactly as it was announced and we embarked the Battalion there in. I still keep one picture of Podolínec from that period, you can see all this absurdity there in, as we carry and move from place piles of stones in wheelbarrows, and then piles of trash and a pile of wood, to another corner of backyard of Podolínec former monastery, I can even find a remark on the reverse side of this photo: Podolínec, May 1950. Thus, that barbarous night was truly barbaric, because at the very same time when we were forced to rehearse innovative "songs of progress", they have been carting away in trucks the content from libraries of these institutions, monasteries, various institutes, they collected this stuff on waste disposal plant, there in factory they reduced it into a pulp and at the end used for cardboard production. I also heard the testimonies of people from Rajhrad. The local library was considered to be one of the oldest libraries at all within the territory of Bohemia and Moravia. It had managed to survive the Tatar attacks and even a Turkish invasion, when the Turks reached that region. Under their reign, the library was not destroyed and also Tartars respected so called "white monks", who helped them with medical treatments, healing and so on. Only at this occasion of Barbaric night organized by communists the library has been fully liquidated, by carting away all its stuff. Thus, it is in no way any exaggeration if that night, when the destruction of monasteries took place, was labeled as barbaric. Such deep harsh damage to cultural heritage had arguably hardly ever happened.""}}</ref> | + | Petrik, Vincent: Last villa. Cambridge, Canada: Good book, 1990.--></ref> Thus, the [[monasteries]] had been seized by state security service ([[StB]]) during three so called “barbaric nights” in 1950.<ref name="NMMI1"/> In total, 3142 people were displaced by force into concentrating monasteries.<ref name="NMMI1"/> These were in case of male members of [[religious order|orders]] virtually turned into [[Internment|prison camps]] or [[Labor camp#Labor camps in various countries#Czechoslovakia|labor camps]] secured with guards and strict regime aiming the “political re-education” of [[monk]]s.<ref name="NMMI1"/> The 213 monastery buildings and facilities were confiscated by state and content of many ancient precious libraries that survived even Turko-Tatar attacks in the [[middle ages]] was scrapped and used for cardboard production.”<ref name="NMMI1"/><ref>{{cite web|author=NMI|url=http://www.upn.gov.sk/obdobie-1945-1989/vypovede-pamatnikov-o-barbarskej-noci|title= Likvidácia kláštorov v komunistickom Československu – Barbarská noc, výpovede svedkov (“Eradication of monasteries in communist Czechoslovakia – Barbaric night, reports of witnesses”)|publisher=[http://www.upn.gov.sk/v2/index.php?page=about-nations-memory-institute Nation's Memory Institute]|date=2011|quote=Teodor Hlaváč: After internment in Podolínec.""One man took his stand in front of all, at this place we used to have gatherings twice a day, and while facing us he started his speech: "Well, the oldest of you, noble biggies, especially those with big bellies, can get ready to scrub the stairs while youngsters will start learning innovative songs of progress. "That's how many of them were humiliated, the youngest of us including me were however on one occasion loaded into the bus in September 1950 and transported to Prešov. There at military headquarters we were told that we had become soldiers who are obliged to start military service within three days in the 53rd auxiliary technical Battalion in one town of northern Moravia that was called Libava. Indeed, this happened exactly as it was announced and we embarked the Battalion there in. I still keep one picture of Podolínec from that period, you can see all this absurdity there in, as we carry and move from place piles of stones in wheelbarrows, and then piles of trash and a pile of wood, to another corner of backyard of Podolínec former monastery, I can even find a remark on the reverse side of this photo: Podolínec, May 1950. Thus, that barbarous night was truly barbaric, because at the very same time when we were forced to rehearse innovative "songs of progress", they have been carting away in trucks the content from libraries of these institutions, monasteries, various institutes, they collected this stuff on waste disposal plant, there in factory they reduced it into a pulp and at the end used for cardboard production. I also heard the testimonies of people from Rajhrad. The local library was considered to be one of the oldest libraries at all within the territory of Bohemia and Moravia. It had managed to survive the Tatar attacks and even a Turkish invasion, when the Turks reached that region. Under their reign, the library was not destroyed and also Tartars respected so called "white monks", who helped them with medical treatments, healing and so on. Only at this occasion of Barbaric night organized by communists the library has been fully liquidated, by carting away all its stuff. Thus, it is in no way any exaggeration if that night, when the destruction of monasteries took place, was labeled as barbaric. Such deep harsh damage to cultural heritage had arguably hardly ever happened.""}}</ref> |
| − | In 1957 [[ŠtB]] arrested university students in eastern Slovakia town [[Košice]] who held [[Bible study (Christian)|Bible study]] meetings. | + | In 1957 [[ŠtB]] arrested university students in eastern Slovakia town [[Košice]] who held [[Bible study (Christian)|Bible study]] meetings.<ref name="Korene">{{cite book|title= Naše korene|last=Slavka, M. et al.|publisher = Nádej| location=Bratislava|year=1994|page=187|ISBN=80-7120-029-8|quote= In 1957 [[StB]] arrested Miloš Rataj, undergraduate student in Košice. He was a son of teacher and poet Ján Rataj. Miloš Rataj together with his fellow students held private Bible Study and prayer meetings at the hostel belonging to university campus. Somebody reported their activities to authorities what triggered investigations and later leaded to a lawsuit. In the newspaper „Východoslovenské Noviny“ there were consequently published articles „Poison in gold-foil“ (No.41 in 1959), „Sects are eradicating the thinking of youth“ and „Report on trial with blue crusaders“. It was just a preparation for more thorough trial at court in Bratislava, where prior to that trial further church members had been arrested, namely Ing. O. Lupták, Ing. Vl. Matej, J. Rosa and J. Hollý from Stará Turá. The hearings during the trial were behind the closed doors excluding the public (sep 1959). The main guilt of accused was that they as members of blue cross „spread hostile Christian ideology“ that is „contradicting scientific Marxist ideology“. They were sentenced pursuant to paragraph on subversion of republic. At the same time their personal correspondence, typing machines and Christian literature was confiscated, mainly the one written by national author Kristína Royová.}}</ref> The consequent investigations lead to further arrests of [[Christians]] and [[lawsuit]] in 1959 with non-public hearing and coverage by state-controlled media.<ref name="Korene"/> Newspapers brought up the case under titles „Poison in gold-foil“, „Sects are eradicating the thinking of youth“ and „Report on trial with blue [[crusaders]]“<ref name="Korene"/> ([[Modrý kríž|Blue Cross]] was Christian [[abstinent]] association fighting [[alcoholism]]<ref name="BLUECROSS">{{cite web|author=International Blue Cross|url= http://www.ifbc.info/aboutus.aspx|title= About us|publisher=[http://www.ifbc.info/ IFBC]|date=2012|quote=The International Federation of the Blue Cross - henceforth referred to as 'International Blue Cross' - is an independent, non-governmental health development organisation, caring for alcohol and drug dependent people and their families. It was established in 1886 in Geneva, Switzerland, and is presently made up of more than a thousand health professionals around the world. ...Who we are:Forty-two national Blue Cross organizations across the world that are independent, non-denominational Christian organizations.)}}</ref>. The arrested members of Blue Cross were found „guilty“ of „spreading hostile [[Christianity|Christian ideology]]“ that is „contradicting scientific [[Marxist ideology]]“.<ref name="Korene"/> They were sentenced pursuant to paragraph on [[Inciting subversion of state power|subversion of republic]].<ref name="Korene"/> At the same time their personal correspondence, typing machines and Christian literature was [[Confiscation|confiscated]], mainly the one written by national author [[Kristína Royová]]<ref name="Korene"/>, regarded by some authors for "Slovak [[Kierkegaard]]".<ref>{{cite web|last= Trúsik|first=Pavol |year=2/2011|title= Kristína Royová – slovenský Kierkegaard? (Kristína Royová – Slovak Kierkegaard?) |publisher=Ostium, Internet journal for humanitarian science|quote= We can conclude that (Kristína) Royová was sort of Slovak version of Kierkegaard.|accessdate=2011-08-19|url=http://www.ostium.sk/index.php?mod=magazine&act=show&aid=75}}</ref> |
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
Revision as of 11:36, February 10, 2012
Czechoslovakia
When communists seized power in former Czechoslovakia in February 1948, part of their agenda was also a fight against “dangerous ideological enemy that holds enormous influence over the masses”.[1] Thus, the monasteries had been seized by state security service (StB) during three so called “barbaric nights” in 1950.[1] In total, 3142 people were displaced by force into concentrating monasteries.[1] These were in case of male members of orders virtually turned into prison camps or labor camps secured with guards and strict regime aiming the “political re-education” of monks.[1] The 213 monastery buildings and facilities were confiscated by state and content of many ancient precious libraries that survived even Turko-Tatar attacks in the middle ages was scrapped and used for cardboard production.”[1][2]
In 1957 ŠtB arrested university students in eastern Slovakia town Košice who held Bible study meetings.[3] The consequent investigations lead to further arrests of Christians and lawsuit in 1959 with non-public hearing and coverage by state-controlled media.[3] Newspapers brought up the case under titles „Poison in gold-foil“, „Sects are eradicating the thinking of youth“ and „Report on trial with blue crusaders“[3] (Blue Cross was Christian abstinent association fighting alcoholism[4]. The arrested members of Blue Cross were found „guilty“ of „spreading hostile Christian ideology“ that is „contradicting scientific Marxist ideology“.[3] They were sentenced pursuant to paragraph on subversion of republic.[3] At the same time their personal correspondence, typing machines and Christian literature was confiscated, mainly the one written by national author Kristína Royová[3], regarded by some authors for "Slovak Kierkegaard".[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 NMI (2011). Likvidácia kláštorov v komunistickom Československu – Barbarská noc (“Eradication of monasteries in communist Czechoslovakia – Barbaric night”). Nation's Memory Institute. “Už pred rokom 1948 považovali československí komunisti rehole za dôležitý náboženský organizmus, ktorý neželateľne vplýva na obyvateľstvo a usmerňuje ho. Po uchopení moci komunistickou stranou vo februári 1948 sa mohli ich plány namierené proti reholiam uskutočniť. Prvé zásahy voči jednotlivým kláštorom sa objavovali už od leta 1948, kedy boli tieto, pod zámienkou že sú centrami protištátnej činnosti, likvidované. Hoci ich nebolo veľa, naznačovali smer, ktorým sa bude vývoj uberať. Realizácia plánov, ktoré štátna moc s rehoľami mala, sa kvôli iným akciám (ako bola napr. schizmatická Katolícka akcia v júni 1949, príprava tzv. cirkevných zákonov na jeseň 1949) mohla uskutočniť až v prvej polovici roku 1950. ...Po akcii „K“ sa v noci z 3. na 4. mája 1950 uskutočnila aj akcia „K2“, v rámci ktorej boli obsadené aj zvyšné mužské kláštory. Týmito dvoma zásahmi bolo na Slovensku postihnutých 1180 rehoľníkov z 15 reholí, žijúcich v 76 kláštoroch. Po týchto dvoch akciách boli rehoľníci na Slovensku sústredení do kláštorov v Mučeníkoch (dnes Močenok), Hronskom Beňadiku, Podolínci, Kostolnej a v Báči. Režim v tzv. sústreďovacích kláštoroch sa riadil podľa pravidiel blízkych väznici. Popri práci (lepenie vrecúšok, preberanie šípok, stolárske a krajčírske práce, práce v poľnohospodárstve) mali rehoľníci vyhradený čas na politickú prevýchovu. Komunikácia s vonkajším svetom bola úplne vylúčená, alebo sa obmedzovala na minimum. Najprísnejší režim bol v kláštore v Podolínci, kde sa nachádzal najväčší počet rehoľníkov. Objekt bol strážený ozbrojenou strážou so psami, pričom na strážnu službu boli určovaní strážcovia z Leopoldova a iných väzníc. Na budove kláštora boli postupne zamrežované okná a inštalovaný ostatný drôt. Na nádvorí bola vybudovaná strážna veža a okolie bolo v noci osvetľované reflektormi. Rehoľníci, ktorí porušili predpísaný poriadok boli trestaní samoväzbou v pivnici.... V týchto kláštoroch sa akcia zopakovala v noci za asistencie príslušníkov Zboru národnej bezpečnosti, Ľudových milícií a Štátnej bezpečnosti. V akcii „R“ bolo v dňoch 28. – 31. augusta 1950 sústredených 1962 rehoľníčok a obsadených 137 objektov. Rehoľníčky boli sústredené v 16 sústreďovacích kláštoroch. ... Po obsadení kláštorov boli nešetrným zaobchádzaním zo strany štátnych orgánov zničené knižnice a rozkradnuté mnohé vzácne rukopisy, tlače, obrazy a nábytok. Samotné budovy získali najmä krajské a miestne národné výbory, rôzne administratívne úrady, telovýchovné spolky, detské domovy a pod. Komunistická štátna moc nazerala na rehole ako na nebezpečného ideologického nepriateľa, ktorý má značný vplyv na masy. Išlo však aj o hnuteľný a nehnuteľný majetok, ktorý rehole spravovali. V správe pre politický sekretariát ÚV KSČ, ktorá bilancovala získané materiálne hodnoty, bol výsledok akcie označený za najväčší majetkový presun od privlastnenia majetku Nemcov, „znárodnenia“ a pozemkovej reformy. Inak povedané, išlo o rozsahom tretiu najväčšiu krádež od roku 1945. Najbolestnejším dôsledkom zásahov však boli strastiplné osudy tisícok rehoľníkov a rehoľníčok, ktorí sa na niekoľko desaťročí stali prenasledovanou skupinou občanov.”
- ↑ NMI (2011). Likvidácia kláštorov v komunistickom Československu – Barbarská noc, výpovede svedkov (“Eradication of monasteries in communist Czechoslovakia – Barbaric night, reports of witnesses”). Nation's Memory Institute. “Teodor Hlaváč: After internment in Podolínec.""One man took his stand in front of all, at this place we used to have gatherings twice a day, and while facing us he started his speech: "Well, the oldest of you, noble biggies, especially those with big bellies, can get ready to scrub the stairs while youngsters will start learning innovative songs of progress. "That's how many of them were humiliated, the youngest of us including me were however on one occasion loaded into the bus in September 1950 and transported to Prešov. There at military headquarters we were told that we had become soldiers who are obliged to start military service within three days in the 53rd auxiliary technical Battalion in one town of northern Moravia that was called Libava. Indeed, this happened exactly as it was announced and we embarked the Battalion there in. I still keep one picture of Podolínec from that period, you can see all this absurdity there in, as we carry and move from place piles of stones in wheelbarrows, and then piles of trash and a pile of wood, to another corner of backyard of Podolínec former monastery, I can even find a remark on the reverse side of this photo: Podolínec, May 1950. Thus, that barbarous night was truly barbaric, because at the very same time when we were forced to rehearse innovative "songs of progress", they have been carting away in trucks the content from libraries of these institutions, monasteries, various institutes, they collected this stuff on waste disposal plant, there in factory they reduced it into a pulp and at the end used for cardboard production. I also heard the testimonies of people from Rajhrad. The local library was considered to be one of the oldest libraries at all within the territory of Bohemia and Moravia. It had managed to survive the Tatar attacks and even a Turkish invasion, when the Turks reached that region. Under their reign, the library was not destroyed and also Tartars respected so called "white monks", who helped them with medical treatments, healing and so on. Only at this occasion of Barbaric night organized by communists the library has been fully liquidated, by carting away all its stuff. Thus, it is in no way any exaggeration if that night, when the destruction of monasteries took place, was labeled as barbaric. Such deep harsh damage to cultural heritage had arguably hardly ever happened.""”
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Slavka, M. et al. (1994). Naše korene. Bratislava: Nádej. “In 1957 StB arrested Miloš Rataj, undergraduate student in Košice. He was a son of teacher and poet Ján Rataj. Miloš Rataj together with his fellow students held private Bible Study and prayer meetings at the hostel belonging to university campus. Somebody reported their activities to authorities what triggered investigations and later leaded to a lawsuit. In the newspaper „Východoslovenské Noviny“ there were consequently published articles „Poison in gold-foil“ (No.41 in 1959), „Sects are eradicating the thinking of youth“ and „Report on trial with blue crusaders“. It was just a preparation for more thorough trial at court in Bratislava, where prior to that trial further church members had been arrested, namely Ing. O. Lupták, Ing. Vl. Matej, J. Rosa and J. Hollý from Stará Turá. The hearings during the trial were behind the closed doors excluding the public (sep 1959). The main guilt of accused was that they as members of blue cross „spread hostile Christian ideology“ that is „contradicting scientific Marxist ideology“. They were sentenced pursuant to paragraph on subversion of republic. At the same time their personal correspondence, typing machines and Christian literature was confiscated, mainly the one written by national author Kristína Royová.”
- ↑ International Blue Cross (2012). About us. IFBC. “The International Federation of the Blue Cross - henceforth referred to as 'International Blue Cross' - is an independent, non-governmental health development organisation, caring for alcohol and drug dependent people and their families. It was established in 1886 in Geneva, Switzerland, and is presently made up of more than a thousand health professionals around the world. ...Who we are:Forty-two national Blue Cross organizations across the world that are independent, non-denominational Christian organizations.)”
- ↑ Trúsik, Pavol (2/2011). Kristína Royová – slovenský Kierkegaard? (Kristína Royová – Slovak Kierkegaard?). Ostium, Internet journal for humanitarian science. Retrieved on 2011-08-19. “We can conclude that (Kristína) Royová was sort of Slovak version of Kierkegaard.”
