Weekly review no. 14
05.01.2024
Epiphany collection has begun
In the first few days of the new year, the Three Wise Men traditionally parade through the streets of the Czech Republic. Organized by the Czech Catholic aid organization Caritas (Charita), groups of children dressed up as little kings ask for donations at the doors of people's homes and houses. Collections are also made in the Prague metro and other central locations. For example, the Epiphany collection began on New Year's Day in the Litoměřice diocese with an ascent of Mount Říp.
Under the slogan "Every crown helps", over 70,000 volunteers collected donations, primarily for the needy in the country. This year, for example, the Litoměřice diocese's Charita will specifically support socially disadvantaged families with children, the elderly and the sick. In most cases, the local Charita organization determines the specific use of the money. 5 percent of the money collected goes abroad. In the diocese of Litoměřice, donations are made for children of poor families in Mongolia.
How much money will be collected this year will be known by the beginning of February at the latest. The collection runs until January 14. Last year, the Epiphany collection raised a total of 161.5 million crowns (around 6.7 million euros).
Second Elbe flood
After the Christmas flood comes the New Year flood. The water levels on the Elbe have risen rapidly over the past few days. This is due to renewed rainfall in the Elbe and Vltava catchment areas and the warm weather, which has triggered a further dew process at higher altitudes. So far, there are indications that the floods will be mild. The third flood warning level has been in force in both Ústí nad Labem and Děčín since Friday morning. The peak was expected on Saturday morning. Contrary to initial fears, it is not expected to exceed the level of the Christmas flood. However, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute expects the flood waters to subside very slowly after the peak.
Pope elects new bishop of Litoměřice
After 15 years, the diocese of Litoměřice (Leitmeritz) will once again have a new bishop. Shortly before Christmas, Pope Francis had already chosen the current secretary of the Czech Bishops' Conference, Stanislav Přibyl, as Jan Baxant's successor. Baxant had submitted his resignation after reaching the age of 75. The 52-year-old Přibyl will succeed him as the youngest bishop in the Czech Republic. The consecration of the bishop is planned for March 2. Přibyl is no stranger to Litoměřice. Born in Prague, he served as vicar general in the diocese of Litoměřice from 2009 to 2016. When his time allows, Přibyl plays the organ. He speaks several languages, including German.
90 years of the Nelson mining accident
The small town of Osek at the foot of the Ore Mountains commemorated the mining accident 90 years ago this week. On January 3, 1934, a disastrous explosion occurred in the Nelson III lignite mine near Osek. The cause was believed to be lignite dust, which was increasingly produced by the new shaking chutes. The high sulphur content of the North Bohemian lignite is also thought to have played a role. The cause of the accident was never fully clarified.
The accident claimed the lives of 142 miners, only four survived. The dead left behind 130 widows and just as many children. Some of the surviving dependants had to wait years for compensation, which was only collected through a fundraising campaign. Neither the coal company nor the state paid out a single crown.
The accident in Osek was one of the biggest mining disasters in the Czech Republic. The Nelson mine was closed and there was no more mining in Osek. The last underground extraction of lignite in northern Bohemia ceased only a few years ago. Currently, coal is only mined in large open-cast mines.
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