Bishop Ján Vojtaššák beatification process moves to Rome

The beatification process for Bishop Ján Vojtaššák has moved to a new stage, as the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in Rome prepares to evaluate his life and moral profile. The case has drawn significant scrutiny regarding his actions during the period of the first Slovak Republic (1939–1945).

Historian Gabriel Hunčaga emphasizes that the Church must exercise extreme caution in beatification processes. He notes that Rome will likely conduct a thorough investigation into Vojtaššák’s moral integrity and whether he demonstrated sufficient self-reflection regarding his stance during the wartime regime. Hunčaga points out that Vojtaššák’s historical perspective appeared less critical of the first Slovak Republic than of the subsequent communist regime, despite both being persecutory.

Historian Róbert Letz argues that while media coverage has been largely one-sided, independent historical research is advanced enough to provide an objective interpretation. Letz suggests that Vojtaššák may not have fully grasped the consequences of the policies facing Jewish citizens during that era. However, he maintains that the evaluation must consider his entire life, not just the years between 1939 and 1945, noting his contributions as a builder of churches, schools, and social institutions.