When you hear the name Václav Malý, November 17, 1989 immediately comes to mind. A man tied to the Velvet Revolution, he has a much broader background – a Catholic priest, a signatory of Charter 77, imprisoned in the 1970s for his uncompromising views, and always an advocate for the weak and the unjustly persecuted. On September 21, 2025, Pope Leo XIV accepted his resignation from the office of Auxiliary Bishop of Prague. Under canon law, every bishop is required to offer his resignation upon reaching the age of 75.
The next parliamentary elections are approaching. What is the mood in society heading into them in your view? Could it be described, to quote Václav Havel, as “bad”? Or is there a better word?
I can’t think of a more fitting one, but it is true that uncertainty and discontent prevail. The cost of living is rising, military conflicts are multiplying around the world, and then there is the endless war in Ukraine. Populism also holds a strong place in our political life, which certainly doesn’t contribute to calm. What surprises me is that even young people often succumb to depression – which also shapes the current atmosphere. Fortunately, there is not yet any real danger of society breaking apart, nor do we see violence between groups or individuals. Still, the mood is not uplifting.
You meet with young people. What, in your view, fuels their anxieties?
I am not a wise man who can analyze this in depth – I wouldn’t dare. But I think the media is partly at fault here. Yes, we should be informed about the complexity of the world and what is happening, but we should also show positive things. That someone has created something beautiful, supported something good, or that people are meeting despite differing opinions. That balance is needed. I am not saying that we should ignore problems, but maybe present them in a more positive way, not only by instilling fear. The second reason lies in the changed way of communication, which now takes place mainly through digital tools. It is important not to neglect personal encounters, face-to-face conversations. That is something that is missing now. When I walk from Hradčany Square to Petřín, I often see young people walking side by side, both staring into their phones. Sometimes they talk, but essentially, they are having a conversation without looking at each other. Personal contact is being replaced by what they can experience digitally. That can be useful, but it cannot replace real interaction. I think this is one of the sources of young people’s insecurity. And regarding the younger generation, there is one more important thing.
What is that?
To appeal to them to think about their descendants. Very few children are being born. In the last ten years, birth rates have been the lowest in history. People then get angry that others from the third world are coming in and, in effect, taking jobs that should belong to young people here. In our country, it is not yet as acute, because it is mostly Ukrainians, and few other immigrants. But I think this issue should be stressed after the elections. Of course, you can’t order or force people to have children – it is up to each individual couple alone – but it would be good to talk about it. It is a serious situation when younger generations don’t want children, or are afraid to have them, preferring a more comfortable lifestyle.
Do you ever find yourself, as the former spokesperson of Civic Forum, wondering where we have come since November 1989?
The Velvet Revolution was a great awakening. Then came ordinary life, and many great hopes, not all of which were fulfilled. But it is still necessary to emphasize that freedom must be cultivated above all within oneself, and not delegated only to elected representatives. It is important to choose honest and just people, but first I must nurture freedom in myself. That means reflecting carefully on what matters in life, what is true and what is false. That is the basis of mature humanity and citizenship. It is a task for all times. At the same time, one cannot hide behind the crowd forever. Before 1989, many people disagreed with what was happening in society, yet they did not express it. I believe it is important to be able, at times, to step out from the crowd. Not to scorn or belittle it, but to be aware of one’s own dignity. When there is a need to speak, do it with integrity – not by dismissing or insulting others. In this respect, there is still much to correct. Even though nearly forty years have passed since the fall of communism, this danger, this crowd mentality, still lingers within us.
What has made you happy recently?
Recently I met an elderly man who said, "I am tired of all the constant complaining around me. Even my friends complain. Things really aren’t that bad, are they?" He basically told me the same thing I often say myself. That made me happy. I am also glad when I visit someone who is in the last stage of their life, alone, and despite that, they are still showing an interest in the world around them and in you, not just in themselves. These may seem like small things, but they matter, and they make me happy.
I assume your ties with friends also bring you joy. Including Slovak ones you used to have. Do you still maintain those contacts?
Yes, I do, and I also follow the situation in Slovakia. For example, I read Denník N. I have also spent several days in Slovakia every year for the past three years, mostly in the east, which has captivated me. I think it is important for us to watch Slovakia closely – not only through the lens of whichever political figures are currently in power, but in a broader context. It is a far more diverse country, even in terms of the character of its people. That is something I miss in Czech news – it often focuses only on certain leaders and not on the bigger picture. I would even say Slovaks are more informed about Czechia than we are about them, and that is a mistake.
We no longer celebrate the founding of the independent republic on October 28 as a joint Czech and Slovak holiday, but it remains an important moment in our shared history. What would you wish for Czechia?
Above all, a deepening of democracy. Because democracy is not a fully fleshed out, finished system, but something that must constantly be upheld through conscious citizenship and an active civic society. I would also wish for a greater sense of solidarity in society and for people to know how to speak with one another. As we said earlier. And I repeat: we don’t have to suffer from a sense of inferiority. Let’s turn our eyes north to Poland and east to Slovakia – not only westward. Thank God for open borders. But we live in the middle of Europe, and we should look in all directions – at the very least, toward all our neighbors. Sometimes I feel this is neglected.
The author is a staff writer for Deník.
CV BOX
Václav Malý (born on September 21, 1950, in Prague) is a Roman Catholic priest and former auxiliary bishop of Prague.
In 1976, he graduated in theology and was ordained as a priest that same year. Between 1976 and 1978, he served as a chaplain in Vlašim and administrator in nearby Domašín, later as a chaplain in Plzeň and administrator in Litice.
In February 1977, he signed Charter 77, and in 1978 he became a member of the Committee for the Defense of the Unjustly Persecuted, which led to his arrest in 1979. From 1980 to 1986, he worked as a stoker. In November 1989, he became involved as a moderator of anti-communist demonstrations and co-founded the Civic Forum.
In 1996, he was appointed a canon of the Metropolitan Chapter at St. Vitus Cathedral. In 2002, and then again in 2005, 2008, 2011, and 2014, he was elected as its provost.
In December 1996, Pope John Paul II appointed him titular bishop of Marcella and auxiliary bishop of Prague. Since 2000, he has been the chairman of the Council for Justice and Peace (Justitia et Pax) within the Czech Bishops’ Conference, and since 2012, he has been the delegate responsible for caring for expatriates.
He enjoys reading, going to the theater, attending concerts, and visiting exhibitions.
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