Following complaints about the online broadcast, the priest celebrating the service, Marek Vácha, was relieved of his duties in the Archdiocese of Prague and the Liturgy Commission of the Czech Bishops' Conference condemned the service.
However, the Brno priest Vácha received support from his bishop.
At the end of January, the TV station "TV Noe" broadcast a service under the motto "The Lord in the pub" from the Benedictine abbey in Břevnov. The event was billed as an "ecumenical service to reach those who might not dare to go to church".
It took place in the monastery's pub, with participants seated at tables with drinks.
Following complaints from the faithful, the Liturgy Commission of the Czech Bishops' Conference reacted on Sunday and condemned the event as "inadmissible and inappropriate in this place and in this form".
Despite being announced as an ecumenical service, it was a Eucharistic celebration and must therefore be judged as such: "The mass does not become an ecumenical service through the participation of non-Catholics."
The location was not appropriate for the celebration of the Eucharist and the celebration at tables contradicted liturgical norms. The fact that the participants had beer, wine and coffee in front of them during the mass was decidedly inappropriate: "It degrades the Eucharistic celebration to a 'party for believers and non-believers alike', as the invitation states," said the Liturgy Commission. Finally, the reading of the Gospel and the sermon by lay people are not permitted. The commission emphasised that people should not think that they can bring people closer to Christ by circumventing liturgical rules: "Liturgical rules are not an end in themselves, but serve to protect the great mystery of Christ's living presence in the Eucharist."
Brno bishop stands behind his priest
Following the complaints, the Archdiocese of Prague ended its collaboration with Vácha and dismissed him as pastor of the university parish in the Czech capital. Vácha is a priest of the Brno diocese and a parish priest there; he also teaches medical ethics at Prague's Charles University.
Bishop Pavel Konzbul of Brno is responsible for disciplinary matters. He defended in an initial statement Vácha and the church service format. He sees it as a project of evangelisation: "I understand that the form may have caused questions or confusion among some believers, but I also know that it was a profound spiritual experience for many participants."
He believes that the Church needs an open discussion about new ways "to reach people with the message of the Gospel while maintaining respect for the sacraments in a way that does not lead to misunderstanding or offence".
During a conversation with Vácha, the bishop asked the priest to apologise to the faithful who feel offended by the service. He also urged him to conscientiously fulfil the liturgical requirements.
The incident has no consequences within the diocese of Brno.
According to the bishop's second statement published on Tuesday second statement from the bishop parish priest in Lechovice.