Abstract
The study deals with the religious situation in Czechoslovakia in the period of the first Czechoslovak Republic in the years of 1918 - 1939. Based on the study of extensive funds of Czech and Vatican archives, periodicals and literature, it follows not only the internal ecclesial political situation in the country which had to face numerous difficulties in the 1920s and 1930s, but also its foreign policy in relation to the Holy See and vice versa intentions, aims and means of Vatican policy in relation to Czechoslovakia.
The study represents a dynamic grasp of religious affairs in Czechoslovakia in 1918 - 1939, which underwent a dramatic development that - in many respects - was dependent on changes in Central European politics in the interwar period. At the same time, the study tracks important issues that could not be solved either by the Czechoslovak or Vatican parties, but primarily by the gradual abrasion of friction and concessions to the benefit of Catholicism (for example, a dispute over the appointment of bishops or separation of the Church from the state).
It was the events of 1938 - 1939, which ended up the democratic character of Czechoslovakia and subjected its religious affairs to over forty years of arbitrary political power.