Catholic and non-catholic reactions of the First Vatican Council in the South Bohemian metropolis

This study deals with the First Vatican Council in the context of regional history. It demonstrates how the council was perceived by Catholics and mainly by non-Catholics in České Budějovice. Strongly represented by the bishop Jan Valerián Jirsík, Catholics were the majority in this town. In 1867-1868, after announcement of total religious freedom and equality in civil life, a minority admitted a non-catholic confession. The most active group was so called German Lutherans, which actively joined the religious life in the town. They found a support in one of the three metropolitan newspapers, called Anzeiger aus dem südlichen Böhmen (Bulletin from the South Bohemia). During 1868 the orientation of these newspapers was anti-catholic and anti-pope resulting in seriously negative evaluation of the Council acting in 1869 and 1870.

Keywords: First Vatican Council; České Budějovice; Reflections; Catholics; non-Catholics