Split of the former Czechoslovakia is often being compared with a bustup of the marriage. The bustup of marriage means mostly a gradual alienation of affection, if not a deeper and more painful consequences of separation of the husband and a wife.

Is this comparison of separation of the former common state with separation of the marriage justifiable? Probably not all areas of the life in both new states are affected in the same way. Some consequences are truly apparent. Let us name at least one: How do our children understand the Slovak language and vice versa? I presume to say that less and less all the time. It is a pity, although this consequence is understandable.

How is however the new state arrangement reflected in the relations among the churches? After all, we had many common things: only one Ecumenical council, we were spending time together much more often at various meetings; we had only one state administration for dealing with churches, and one legislation. Many churches consisted of only one undivided church.

Split of the state caused that we really are in many areas in the different situations than before. Therefore we had enough subjects at Sv. Jur to share and talk openly, let they were our joys, or our worries. However, the atmosphere of the meeting indicated that there is still something joining us that we are concerned in each other, that there is still a lot of space for our cooperation and mutual enrichment. I want to inform a Czech Christian public at least on some of the themes.

In the introductory word brother Pavel Smetana, President of the Czech Ecumenical Council was unusually open. He said: "The Ecumenical Council of Churches has not a good reputation." It relates still to the World Council of Churches and its attitude, especially during the cold war. This time period has not been satisfactory studied, neither evaluated, and thus the dissidents have still enough reasons for criticizing the ecumenical bodies, and give them no good honor. In spite of this, brother Smetana appreciated the work of the Czech Ecumenical Council in coordination of the inter-church cooperation and in realization of the goals, resulting mainly from various work committees of ECC. This requires building and keeping the friendly relationships, especially between representatives of the churches. We might say that friendly relationship is succeeding among these representatives. A different situation appears among the churches on the local levels. The fellowships of various churches are often working only on their own bailiwick. We are too much satisfied with working in the small groups and churches. This depends a lot on the local pastors and priests.

How does brother Smetana see the future in Ecumenical relations? The Roman Catholic Church follows its organizational unity, while Evangelical churches talk about Unity in the differences. This unity however needs its strengthening and development. We are at the beginning of another theological discussions, which should deal mainly with ecclesiology, importance of priesthood, Eucharist. Brother Smetana admitted that the tension between the Christian liberalism and Christian fundamentalism is raising up. The common celebration of the Lord-s supper is however a gift on the road to the discussions. If we would be succeeding in realization of these discussions, we are heading to the joyous future.

Brother Julius Filo, President of the Slovak Ecumenical Council, made all present participants acquainted with the overall situation in churches and politics at Slovakia, but mainly he dealt with the text of a document Domini Iesus, whose Slovak translation was ready in front of him. Some of the church representatives were demanding to issue an immediate opinion to the document, which would express a regret for its part, talking about one church, namely the "Roman Catholic church, in which the Salvation is only possible". Finally no proclamation was issued, adverting to the fact that the document is very "fresh", and therefore it is necessary to study it more deeply and evaluate it later. Brother Filo has mentioned an Agreement on the mutual acceptance of the baptism between the Slovak churches, which is already elaborated, accepted by the bishops of Slovakia; nevertheless it is not undersigned, yet. He informed us on the trip of Slovak churches to Rome. The non-Catholic churches also attended this trip upon the invitation of the President Schuster. End of this trip at Rome was in the Evangelical church. The Slovak ECC enjoys a good reputation at Slovakia, therefore it also gets a state donation of almost SK 1 million per year.

Then the secretaries of both Ecumenical Councils spoke. While brother Jan OslÝk is a newly elected secretary at Slovakia, who had no opportunity to tie with the work fully, yet, sister Nadýje Mandysová evaluated in her contribution partially an Ecumenical situation over her 9-yers activity at the Czech Ecumenical Council. She emphasized that we are often "pushed" to the Ecumenical cooperation by conditions, when our common opinion and various tasks are requested by the state (e.g. discussions during preparation of the new law on churches), or needs of the state institutions and facilities (prison service, army, means of communication). On the other side, it is necessary to see the enthusiastic Ecumenical workers, who, sometimes against all misunderstandings and barriers, are realizing the real and living ecumene. They are however too few, yet.

In the other part of meeting, the speakers were being exchanged more rapidly. Some contemporary themes were discussed, as e.g. problem of Gypsies, work of the Evangelical Alliance (the prayer week), Diaconia as an organization, but also as a concrete ministry, homosexuality, church education, projects of the Round table at Slovakia, preparedness of churches for the crisis situation (e.g. natural disasters), integration to the European Union and other topics.

In conclusion: several areas, where churches at Slovakia and Czech could cooperate.

ľ   Deepening the cooperation, especially in the borderland area during the crisis
     situations, but also in preparation to the eventual disaster.

ľ   Cooperation on the project of Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic
     concerning work with the Slovak Gypsies.

ľ   Including the report on churches at Slovakia into the broadcasting of the Chris-
     tian Magazine of the Czech TV.

ľ   Realization of meeting of Slovak and Czech women in the Czech Republic,
     which is being planned to the end of this November.

ľ   To consider a common seminary or conference on the theme: Integration into
     the EU (in cooperation with the Brussels office of Conference of European
     Churches). Where even Polish churches could be invited.

Meeting with our Slovak friends ended in the late evening hours by the prayer quiet time with the words of thanks to our common Lord. The final closing took place in the spaces of the wine vault, because brother bishop Filo invited us to test his excellent young wine of his own production. After all we were in the country, surrounded by the vineyards, and in the time, when the "picking period" was just beginning. This closing was only underlining that what had been happened was really a meeting of good friends.