Cardinal Dominik Duka, former Archbishop of Prague, dies aged 82

Cardinal Dominik Duka, the emeritus Archbishop of Prague and one of the Czech Republic’s most prominent churchmen, has died at the age of 82.

The Archdiocese of Prague announced that the cardinal passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning, following several days in hospital where his condition had been described as serious.

On Saturday, the Archdiocese confirmed that Cardinal Duka had again been hospitalised, asking for prayers “that the Lord may grant him strength, peace and consolation in this time of trial.” In a statement issued at 3am today, it said: “The Lord of life called the emeritus Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Dominik Duka, to eternity. May the infinitely merciful God open His arms to him and fill him with His love and bliss.”

Born on 26 April 1943 in Hradec Králové, Cardinal Duka entered the Dominican Order in 1968, a time of deep political repression following the Prague Spring. He was ordained a priest two years later, but the communist authorities stripped him of his state licence to minister and forced him to work as a draughtsman at the Škoda factory in Pilsen.

For fifteen years he served clandestinely as a priest, continuing his ministry in secret under constant surveillance. From 1986 to 1998 he led the Dominican province of Bohemia and Moravia before Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Hradec Králové. In February 2010, Pope Benedict XVI made him Archbishop of Prague, a post he held until his retirement in 2022.

Cardinal Duka was known for his outspoken conservative views. In 2017 he warned that the Czech Republic “cannot accept migrants unless they respect its system of values,” and said Muslims could only be a safe minority if they accounted for around five per cent of society. A year later he stated: “Since I do not think people with this sexual orientation are discriminated against in our country, it is not right for us to advocate things which are in direct conflict with the Catholic Church’s teachings.”

In 2023 he submitted a set of dubia to Pope Francis concerning the interpretation of Amoris Laetitia, particularly the question of Holy Communion for those in irregular unions.

In recent months, Cardinal Duka faced criticism after celebrating a funeral Mass in Prague for the murdered American political activist Charlie Kirk. The Requiem Mass was held at the Church of Our Lady before Týn on Old Town Square and was attended by several hundred people, including politicians. Mourners were invited to lay wreaths and mourning ribbons at the nearby Marian Column following the service.

Cardinal Duka’s death closes a chapter in the Czech Church’s turbulent modern history — a life that spanned persecution, underground ministry, and the restoration of Catholic life in a free nation.

Requiescat in pace.

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