Czech priest Tomas Halik wants to use the equivalent of 36 million crowns that goes with the 2014 Templeton Prize, which he won last week, especially for

activities related to the dialogue between churches and between believers and non-believers, he told journalists Sunday.

Halik said he has been considering a particular project, but that he would have to reassess it because the use of the prize money should have a more international character.

The Templeton Prize is awarded for contributions to affirming life's spiritual dimension.

Halik, 65, is a Roman Catholic priest, a philosopher, sociologist, theologian and religious studies scholar whose books have been translated into several languages. He won the prestigious Romano Guardini Prize in 2010 and the prize for Europe's best theological book in 2011.

At present, Halik is philosophy and sociology professor at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague and priest of the Academic Parish in Prague.

The Templeton Foundation pointed out that Halik has become an internationally respected personality promoting a dialogue between different faiths and non-believers and as an advocate of religious tolerance and understanding.

Halik said he received the prize also for his work in the underground church under the communist regime.

He mentioned the project of the National Spiritual Revival, unofficial seminars and his cooperation with Cardinal Frantisek Tomasek in this context.

The first person to win the Templeton Prize was the missionary Mother Teresa in 1973, six years before she won the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2012 the prize went to the 14th Dalai Lama and last year to South African Archbishop and anti-apartheid fighter Desmond Tutu. The laureates also include Russian writer Alexandr Solzhenytsin and Focolare Catholic movement founder Chiara Lubich.

Source: praguemonitor.com (Mar. 17, 2014)

-------------------------

 

Czech priest, philosopher Tomas Halik wins 2014 Templeton Prize

Video: