I. Historical Background
In 863 Cyril and Methodius, two brothers, were sent to Great Moravia on request of Ratislav, the ruler of the Great Moravian Empire. They laid the foundation of the Christian faith as well as the culture in general.
In the 10th century when the Great Moravian Empire collapsed, Slovakia became part of multinational formations for a long time: the Hungarian State from 10th to 16th century, the Habsburg monarchy from the 16th century until 1867 and the Dual Monarchy of Austro-Hungary between 1867 and 1918.
In 1939 a new military Slovak State was founded. It defined itself as Christian in the preamble to the Constitution. Tiso, a clerical fascist leader declared Slovakia’s independence from Czechoslovakia.
After World War II Czechoslovakia was reconstituted and Tiso was hanged for collaboration with Nazism.
Under the influence of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact in 1948 there began a tragic chapter in the history of the church in the Slovak territory.
Churches and religious communities became dependent on the State in economic affairs and lost their identity as public legal entities. The State controlled all church activities and established the obligatory registration of churches. Clergy had to pledge loyal to the Republic and had to be approved by the State.
Strict totalitarian control of churches led to illegal activities by individual worshippers, clergy and different groups, which became the target of State security persecution.
In 1989 the ‘Velvet Revolution’ took place and brought many social and political changes about. The churches retrieved their independent position. The Czech and Slovak Republic were separated into two independent entities and the Slovak Republic was established on 1 January 1993.
II. Social Facts
Until 1989, when Slovakia became an independent democratic country, religion was considered an enemy of the developing socialist republic. Any public declaration of a church or religious group affiliation was an excuse for being monitored by the state security system.
In 2001 the most recent Census was taken. There is a variety of churches in Slovakia. Most inhabitants, about 69 %, belong to the Roman Catholic Church. Other churches include the Greek Catholic Church (4.1%), the Protestant Church of Augsburg Confession (6.9%), the Reformed Christian Church (2%) and the Orthodox Church (0.9%). There are also a large number of smaller religious groups, e.g. Jehova´s Witnesses or Mormons. About 13 % of the Slovak population are without denomination.
III. Basic Categories of the System
The relationship between State and Church could be characterised as one of co-ordination and parity. There is no single State Church with special privileges. Churches as legal entities are subject to restrictions arising from rules that are generally binding. The Slovak Republic is neutral concerning religion and ideology.
In the preamble of the Constitution the Cyril-Methodius spiritual heritage is acknowledged. Section 24 guarantees freedom of thinking, conscience, religious confession and beliefs. Everyone is free in his choice of religious belief or non-belief and the manifestation of it.
Churches and religious communities are totally independent from the State. They establish their own institutions, appoint clergy and provide religious instruction. The State supports registered churches and religious communities financially, e.g. in carrying out their charitable work, preserving cultural landmarks and operation of the headquarters. They also benefit from certain tax exemptions. The State guarantees their legal status and functions in public life. Churches are seen as significant part of the cultural and social life of the State. Therefore they are considered a special type of legal entity and provided with constitutional rights, such as privacy inviolability, property protection, the right to petition, the right to assembly and right to court.
IV. Cultural and societal exercise of functions
According to Section 23 of the Constitution, churches and religious communities are obligated to provide religious education. They are allowed to provide religious education in all schools and school facilities that are part of the Slovakian educational system. They also have the right to found and administer primary schools, secondary schools, universities, and school facilities for the purpose of education in accordance with conditions determined by the law.
Currently in Slovakia there is inter alia one Catholic university, 45 grammar schools, 103 church primary schools and 18 church nursery schools. These schools benefit from the same financial support as state schools.
Churches and religious communities have a right to broadcast on the public service media. About 3 % of broadcasting time is devoted to religious programmes on Slovak Television and Radio. These programmes must not be interrupted by commercial breaks.
The Catholic Church owns and runs a Radio station and a video studio. Churches and religious communities have their own publishing houses.
In Slovakia couples can choose either a state or a religious ceremony for entering into matrimony. If a marriage fulfils the conditions laid down in the law of the Slovak Republic, it has the same legal status and effects as a civil marriage.
V. Legal foundations
Religious freedom, freedom of consciousness and the elementary principles of the state and church relations are based on a variety of Constitutional Acts. After Czech and Slovakia became two separate countries, the Slovak Republic maintained their former International Pacts, e.g. the International Pact on Civil and Political Rights.