Cardinal Dominik Duka, the former Archbishop of Prague who played a pivotal role in negotiating compensation for churches following the Communist regime’s confiscation of religious properties, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 82. The Prague Archdiocese confirmed his death in a statement, though the cause was not disclosed. Born Jaroslav Václav Duka on April 26, 1943, in Hradec Králové, Duka’s life was marked by resilience and dedication to the Catholic Church amidst intense persecution. After the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia in 1948, the Church faced severe repression, with properties seized, priests imprisoned, and religious activities heavily monitored. Duka secretly joined the Dominican Order in 1968, adopting the name Dominik, and was ordained in 1970. However, he was banned from priestly duties in 1975 and later imprisoned for 15 months in 1981 for continuing his church activities. During his incarceration at Bory Prison in Plzeň, he befriended Václav Havel, the dissident playwright who later led the Velvet Revolution and became Czech president. Duka’s leadership as Prague Archbishop from 2010 to 2022 was instrumental in the Czech Republic’s passage of a law to return confiscated religious properties, with the government agreeing to pay $3 billion in compensation over 30 years. Despite his conservative views and controversies, including accusations of downplaying clerical abuse, Duka was widely respected for his bravery during the Communist era and his efforts to renew the Church in a democratic society. Prime Minister Petr Fiala praised his contributions, highlighting his courage and significant role in the nation’s history.