From the Communists and Post-Communists Alike: State-Paid Salaries of the Clergy in the Czech Lands 1949–2012

Abstract The article examines the development of state-paid salaries for clergy introduced by Communists in Czechoslovakia from their institution 1949 until they were removed a major change church-state relations 2012. In initial years Communist rule, it appears that part “carrot and stick” strategy aiming to subject churches state. Later, real value steadily decreased, leaving priests marginalized economic structure. Following collapse regime, significantly increased; although, subsequent years, followed trend similar pre-1989 period. similarity post-Communist period reluctance restitute church property after 1989 reflects attitudes Czech population political representation toward organized religion transition assertive passive secularism.