Vojtěch Cikrle

Vojtěch Cikrle (born 20 August 1946) is a Czech Catholic prelate who served as the 13th Bishop of Brno from 1990 until 2022. He has been Bishop Emeritus of Brno since the acceptance of his resignation by Pope Francis on 26 May 2022.

Early life and education Cikrle was born on 20 August 1946 in Bosonohy, now part of Brno. Because his family was persecuted by the communist regime – his father having been imprisoned for political reasons – he was initially unable to pursue higher education. He trained as a foundry worker, later completed secondary education through evening studies, and worked in industry before performing compulsory military service from 1969 to 1971.

In 1971 he entered the Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology in Litoměřice and was ordained a priest on 27 June 1976 by Bishop Josef Vrana for Diocese of Brno.

Bishop of Brno On 14 February 1990, Pope John Paul II appointed Cikrle Bishop of Brno after the see had remained vacant for eighteen years. He received episcopal consecration on 31 March 1990 from Archbishop František Vaňák, with Cardinal Hans Hermann Groër and Bishop Josef Koukl serving as co-consecrators.

His episcopate was marked by the post-communist renewal of the Diocese of Brno, including the reorganization of diocesan structures, the establishment of new parishes, support for priestly vocations, and numerous church construction and restoration projects.

Episcopal succession As bishop, Cikrle was the principal consecrator of: Pavel Konzbul (2016)