Fidél Ambróz Jurčovič (in memoriam)

Father Fidél Ambróz Jurčovič was a Franciscan, theologian, preacher, writer and long-serving provincial. He was born on 17 July 1916 in Vištuk, entered the Franciscan Order in 1931 and was ordained a priest on 23 March 1940 in Rome, where he completed his doctorate in theology three years later. After returning to Slovakia, he taught liturgy and biblical studies in Žilina until the dissolution of the monasteries under Action K in 1950.

Mass imprisonments had begun as early as 1947, and the first Franciscans were among those caught up in them. Father Fidél Jurčovič spent 24 months in pre-trial detention. The detention ended on 21 January 1948 with his release without trial. The trial did not take place until 1950. On 10 March a verdict was handed down sentencing him to two years in prison “for plotting against the Republic”. On appeal, the Supreme Court in Prague added a further year to his sentence. He passed through prisons and forced labour in Leopoldov, Handlová and Jáchymov. He was not released until January 1955. Until his retirement in 1976 he worked in various civilian occupations, while secretly and to a limited extent carrying out pastoral work. During the “Prague Spring” of 1968 he took an active part in initiatives to renew religious life and established contacts both at home and in exile.

On 20 February 1969 he was appointed Minister Provincial and, under the harsh conditions of normalisation, he kept his scattered fellow friars together and sustained the life of the Franciscan province. Police surveillance and repeated interrogations by the State Security (StB) began once again.

After November 1989, the days of joyful euphoria at the victory over tyranny gave way to days of ordinary, responsible work to renew life at every level. In a complex political situation, the Church and the religious orders had to begin the work of renewal. The Franciscans in Slovakia, led by Father Fidél and with only a small number of friars, had to shape a new face for the province almost from scratch. In total, 41 members from before 1950 had survived the totalitarian era. Father Fidél later served as definitor, assistant priest and novice master in Trnava; in old age, despite illness, he devoted himself to writing and publishing. He died on 21 January 2004 and is buried in Vištuk.

Father Fidél's greatness lay in the way he approached all the historical realities that befell him. One would search his memoirs and notes in vain for curses, discontent or unforgiveness; he accepted everything life brought. He took joy in the small things of everyday life and was always hungry for knowledge. He loved his homeland and cultivated the Slovak language. His theological studies, deepening faith and broad knowledge made him a steadfast and wise man, a Christian and a priest – a Franciscan. He remained faithful to his vocation even in the most difficult moments of his life.