Head of Czech Orthodox Church Allegedly Former Communist Agent

[Moros]

:(

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20050210-1538-slovakia-secretservice.html

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – A Roman Catholic archbishop was listed as an agent for the former communist-era secret service, according to an official from a government institute that is making the service's files public.

[..]

In its Thursday edition, newspaper Sme reported that the head of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, Metropolitan Nikolaj, was also listed as an agent for the service in files which have already been released.

He was registered as an agent in 1984, Sme reported without giving details on his alleged cooperation. The church would not comment on the issue.

The institute started to release files of agents of the former communist secret police as well as citizens who were persecuted in Slovakia, a predominantly Roman Catholic country, last November.

[Maximus]

Perhaps someone can supply more details, but, as I recall, it was quite common for communist governments to require clergymen to subscribe to some sort of agreement to report "subversive and anti-revolutionary" activities. The clergymen were then "registered" on a list as "agents" of the government. Such agreements were a formality and did not necessarily involve any actual cooperation or betrayal of the Faith.

That's not to say that there were no Judases - KGB in sheep's clothing - but unless and until further damning evidence arises, I wouldn't make too much of this news.

[xenia]

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God...

[Sergius_Lucius]

Perhaps someone can supply more details, but, as I recall, it was quite common for communist governments to require clergymen to subscribe to some sort of agreement to report "subversive and anti-revolutionary" activities. The clergymen were then "registered" on a list as "agents" of the government. Such agreements were a formality and did not necessarily involve any actual cooperation or betrayal of the Faith.

That's not to say that there were no Judases - KGB in sheep's clothing - but unless and until further damning evidence arises, I wouldn't make too much of this news.
Good point. What is better: to agree formally and then don't give them any information, or refuse and be replaced with another person, who may be more willing to cooperate?