Czech Catholic Priest Says Those Who Vote Populist Will 'Answer Before the Judgement of God'

Tomáš Halík shakes hands with President Petr Pavel. Photo: Aktuálně.cz

PRAGUE — Catholic priest and professor Tomáš Halík has sharply criticized the political direction of the Czech Republic following the recent parliamentary elections. Speaking on his regular TV program "Reflections with Tomáš Halík" on Nov. 2, 2025, he warned that the emerging coalition government between the ANO movement, SPD, and Motorists could pose a threat to Czech democracy, UOJ-Czech Republic and Slovakia reported, with reference to Aktuálně.cz.

“We are now deciding whether we will have merely a bad government or a very bad — a dangerous — one,” Halík said. He noted that among the proposed ministers are “people whom we cannot respect, even with the best will,” adding that some are “directly or indirectly allies of forces that threaten our country.”

In his emotional address, Halík also turned his message toward voters:

“Elections hold up a mirror to us — they reveal the true moral and intellectual condition of society. Those who irresponsibly voted for demagogues and populists will answer before the judgment of God.”

He concluded by urging the faithful to pray for President Petr Pavel, whose leadership he described as a “hope for the democratic future of the country.”

“We must pray for him and give thanks for him," he said. "And pray that God grant him strength and wisdom in his decisions."

Previously, UOJ reported that the Orthodox Church in America's (OCA) chancellor had visited Romania and the Czech Lands and Slovakia.

Read also