The name of the successor to Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, Czech Catholic primate and Prague archbishop who is retiring at the end of the year, might be known on January 6, 2010, the church and Vlk himself indicated on Czech Television (CT) Saturday. Epiphany, on January 6, is an important church holiday.
The Vatican usually announces personnel replacements on such occasions.
"For instance, it could happen on Epiphany, which is the second culmination of the Christmas period," Vlk told CT, referring to the possible disclosure of his successor's name by the Vatican.
The previous Pope, John Paul II, appointed Vlk archbishop of Prague in 1991.
Two years ago Vlk, then aged 75, handed in his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI as all Catholic bishop do at this age.
The Pope then did not accept it and extended Vlk's mandate by another two years.
The extended mandate expired this year.
The Vatican is reportedly choosing Vlk's successor from among three bishops.
Their names have been kept secret but it is supposed that the most probable candidates who could replace Vlk are Olomouc Archbishop Jan Graubner and the Hradec Kralove and Litomerice bishops, Dominik Duka and Jan Baxtant, respectively.
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