Pavel Žiška ako „večný“ kandidát na biskupa

Abstract

The article presents Pavel Žiška as an unsuccessful repeat candidate for bishop. Pavel Žiška can undoubtedly be seen as interesting in Slovakia in the first years of the Czechoslovak state from several points of view. He was one of the few priests with a higher theological education, and despite his relatively young age he repeatedly became a proposed part of various emerging institutions. Up to then, he was the author of several articles, mostly of a homily or other theological nature, but he was also on the lists of persons who could become a potential member of the church hierarchy. The article focuses primarily on the period of his life in which Žiška, very often, in various contexts and for various regions, finds himself on lists or in considerations for the position of candidate for bishop, even though he never managed to achieve this position. The contribution consists of two distinct parts. The first one is focused on the gradual presentation of the appointment processes during the years 1919-1925, and notices primarily Žiška’s place in them as a government nominee, and his personal efforts. The second part of the article seeks an answer to the question based on which he was called a modernist. Progressively, it notes the position of Žiška in the church environment since the establishment of the state, his short tenure in the Council of Priests and the apparent turning point as the responsible editor of the Catholic newspaper.