Czech Catholic Church branches out into forestry

Blatno, Czech Republic

FLUSH with cash and land that it received in compensation for the seizure of its property under Communism, the Roman Catholic Church in the Czech Republic is eyeing the forestry industry as it looks to ensure its long-term financial future.

After long political battles, the church was awarded US$4 billion worth of property in 2012, making it the country's largest private landowner. Its holdings include 140,000 hectares of woodland, some blighted in the past by acid rain, which it is now managing with environmental and economic sustainability in mind.