Mise amerických katolíků českého původu do Československa v letech 1919–1922: První krok k zahájení československo-vatikánských diplomatických jednání?

The study deals with the National Union of Czech Catholics in the United States at the end of the First World War and in the early post-war years. It pays special attention to its activities, namely three mission trips to Czechoslovakia between 1919 and 1922, which were strongly supported by both the political representatives of Czechoslovakia and the Church dignitaries of the Holy See. The delegates of American Catholics thus built close links between Catholics on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and also became a strong force in the emerging diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Czechoslovakia in the years preceding the establishment of official relations. The trips brought valuable information for both the American and Czech/Czechoslovak sides, although it was the Holy See who capitalized on it the most. The missions also strengthened the sense of belonging of Czech Catholics on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and highlighted the fact that they were part of the same worldwide Church. The Missions of Czech-born American Catholics to Czechoslovakia between 1919 and 1922. The first step to Czechoslovak-Vatican diplomatic negotiations.