Calvin Synod Herald, 1974 (74. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1974-03-01 / 3. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD PENNSYLVANIANS FOR HUMAN LIFE The Rev. Albert W. Kovács has recently been elected the president of his state’s largest pro-life organization, Pennsylvanians for Human Life. The statewide group is dedicated to defend the right to life of every human being, from conception to natural death. A native New Jerseyan, the pastor was the first child baptized in the congregation of the John Calvin Magyar Reformed Church in Perth Amboy, after its organization in 1929. He was confirmed in the Woodbridge Magyar Reformed Church, and under the care of Magyar Synod during his theological studies. The Rev. Kovács and his associates work especially these days to prevent the taking of life by abortion and euthanasia. They point out that over a million abortions are taking place annually in America, since the U.S. Supreme Court authorized abortion on demand last January 22, 1973. They add that in at least three state legislatures bills have been introduced to allow the killing of aged, handicapped and mentally deficient citizens. The group is quick to point out that this reminds them too readily of Hitler’s elitist philosophy. In this mentality, only the superior were to live and build a new super race, contrary to the will of God, since life is by his just and holy will to give or take from all as he deems fit for his eternal purposes. Pennsylvanians for Human Life (PHL) is affiliated with the National Right to Life Committee, and is working to educate citizens in a pro-life stance. They hope that enough Americans will reject the deadly elitist philosophy, and encourage their legislators in Washington and home to pass a Human Rights Amendment to the Constitution, to protect life from the time it is given by God to his littlest children to the time he himself concludes that span on earth. Believing that every life is created by God in his Providence, as did the signers of the Declaration of Independence, PHL conducts a steady educational campaign all year round of citizens and legislators, Christians and Jews, believers and atheists, adults and young people. Rev. Kovács remembers his younger days in the Hungarian churches, and especially the young people from the New Jersey and New York area with whom he enjoyed so many a summer picnic, or the Chicago area where they also held annual Grape Festivals. He acknowledges that he doesn’t get to csárdás anymore, although he certainly enjoys his Hungarian record collection. What he has received from his Hungarian Reformed heritage, he says, is a practical faith built on scripture and relevant to life in this world. He remembers the embroidered words on the pulpit cloth from his high school days in the John Calvin Church, “Ha az Isten velünk, kicsoda ellenünk?” He suggests that “If God is for us, who can be against us?” is surely a fit motto for any Christian today, and especially the vibrant young people. He says that he thinks this theology of courage which nurtured him in youth has probably pushed him into the defense of the defenseless. “Nem, nem, soha!” are Hungarian words he says he shall never forget, since “No, no, never!” sums up the lot of the Magyars from the time Stephen became the first Christian king of the Hungarians, as if God had chosen them in particular for the defense of the people of his Church. He comments that it is amazing these stick with him, since he cannot speak or understand but a few words in Hungarian, except for a few phrases like, “Nem beszélek magyarul,” to explain to the elders that he didn’t speak their tongue. Today, he admits, many of his pro-life associates are Roman Catholics, because their churches have supported this position for decades and then some. He is quick to add that times have changed now, and issues themselves have become more important than traditional religious or political alignments. He remembers the times, all too recently, when the Reformed and the Roman Catholics were fighting each other tooth and nail, and if one took a certain position on a subject that the other would almost automatically line up against it. He was pleased to see the photos and stories of Cardinal Mindszenty’s visit to America, when the Reformed pastors met with him to extend a welcome to this Hungarian patriot and priest. It is time to realize, he says he outlined in his own Reformation Day service, that our enemies are not in other churches just because they call themselves by different names, but outside the church in an ever more brazen, secularist, materialist and godless culture. He sees in the future that the two Christian fellowships will be challenged by God to line up side by side on many important issues. Rev. Kovács is minister to St. John’s Reformed Church, UCC, in Bangor, Pa. He married the former Theresa Torok, formerly a member of St. Ladislaus R.C. Church, New Brunswick, whom he met and courted in those youthful days of sharing with Protestant and Roman Catholic young people. He is father to a son in his freshman year of college, another son in 9th grade and a daughter in 4th grade. His hope is that other Hungarian Reformed people will join hands in Pennsylvanians for Human Life, or pro-life groups in their own states, to prevent modern Herods from slaughtering the innocent infant children of God, and modern Hitlers from the merciless killing of our infirm and aged. —t—s
