The article focuses on the relation between the Slovene authorities and the Catholic Church in the 1980’s. Aside from other events, the 1980’s also denoted a marked turning point in the relation between the Catholic Church and the state. The relationship between the socialist authorities and the Catholic Church in the 1980’s still remained strained and strongly impeded by the bitter events of the past. Yet it was mostly dialogical and characterized by partnership, and turned to be productive and beneficial for the entire Slovene society. The authorities and the Church started to solve different questions in a gradual manner, considering the current political situation, public opinion and the proportion of power on both sides. Good relations with the Catholic Church and its support were very important for Slovene socialist authorities squeezed between the demands of the opposition on one hand and the pressures from Belgrade on the other. A more fighting stance of the Chuch, similar to the one in some East European countries, would only aggravate the situation within Slovenia, limit the reformation movement within the Slovene government, and hinder the soft transition to a multi-party sistem. It would also arm Yugoslav authorities with additional arguments in favor of establishing the existence of the socalled »counterrevolution« in Slovenia, and taking prompt action to supress it. The majority of Slovene believers would not support such a relationship.