President and Mayor were also there
The cathedral had been filling up with churchgoers since the early morning hours. At about 10 a.m. there wasn’t any room left and those who couldn’t squeeze in had to watch the ceremony in the third courtyard where a large-screen had been installed. Shortly before it started, Czech President Václav Klaus, Prague Mayor Pavel Bém, former Czech President Václav Havel, Czech Chamber of Deputies Chairman Miloslav Vlček and others arrived.
Homage to St Adalbert and Polish President
Prior his arrival in Prague, Archbishop paid homage to the St Adalbert skull in Diblice nad Cidlinou. This precious relic was displayed throughout the ceremony. Klaus mentioned the tragedy that has struck Poland. The new archbishop drew attention to the connection between the Czech saint St Adalbert and Poland and expressed his deepest sympathy to the Polish embassy and all Poles. The Archbishop was also greeted by the chairman of the Confederation of Political Prisoners Naděžda Kavalírová and expressed the hardship endured by clergymen, including Dominik Duka, in communist prisons.
Collective prayer with representatives of other churches
Cardinal Miloslav Vlk presented the papal bull with Duka’s appointment which was read aloud before Cardinal Vlk handed over the crosier and Episcopal See to Dominik Duka. A speech from the Apostolic Nuncio Diego Causero followed. In his speech, Dominik Duka expressed joy that the ceremony was attended by the representatives of Christian churches. He also welcomed members of the Jewish community and intoned that Christians and Jews have lots in common. St Wenceslas choral and collective prayer with the representative of non-Catholic churches concluded the ceremony. The 36th Prague Archbishop Dominik Duka was appointed by the Holy Father on 13th February 2010. On the same day, Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Cardinal Miloslav Vlk from the post of Prague archbishop.
