Calvin Synod Herald, 1999 (99. évfolyam, 2-4. szám - 100. évfolyam, 9-12. szám)
1999-11-01 / 11-12. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 5 Church Properties seized by “Reds” Still held by “Democratic” Governments The churches in Hungary, Romania and other central European nations are still frustrated in their attempts to regain ownership or compensation for church buildings and properties confiscated by the Communists after World War II. Not only Hungarian Reformed, but Lutherans and Roman Catholics, as well as Orthodox and Baptists, have heard promises for years since the Communist ousters in 1989, but the results have been meager or worse. In Romania laws were passed to expedite their return, but they were written so poorly, and perhaps intentionally, to allow local leadership to stymie the return. In a “catch twentytwo” situation, sometimes the state says its administration cannot intervene if it has gone to the court, due to separation of powers. Sometime properties were transferred to companies by privatization or other public bodies, and since they changed status they belong to private owners and cannot be returned. Even if compensation has been offered, the manner has not been settled by law and the churches wait. In such a system, where what amounts to stolen property is not returned, the victim is still victimized further. “Justice delayed is justice denied.” In Kolozsvár (Kluj) the Református Kollégium at Farkas Street (Built 1802) owned student dormitories, the printing press and four professor’s houses. The Reformed School for Girls, some properties owned as investments for the pension fund, Szeretetház House for daughters of ministers or of church employees who were students, the Deaconness Institute, and the Reformed Hospital were also confiscated. The same happened all over Romania, and other Communist-held satellite countries. Their heirs have apparently changed their names but not their anti-religious ideology. The Eastern Classis of Calvin Synod discussed the situation at its Fall Meeting in New York on October 24th, and the delegates agreed to pursue the concern with area Congressmen and through Calvin Synod, as well as seeking the support of the General Synod of the United Church of Christ. American-Hungarian National Convention The Second American-Hungarian National Convention met on September 24-26 in the Crown Plaza Hotel, Meadowlands, Seacocus, NJ. About 1400 people attended this very important gathering. The following Resolutions were received unanimously in the English Section: We, American-born or American-raised persons of Hungarian descent, hereby resolve: (1) To support American-Hungarian institutions and associations, both traditional and new; (2) To strive for cooperation and unity among older and newer American-Hungarian organizations; (3) To take it upon ourselves to define our identity, our culture, and our responsibilities as American-Hungarians; (4) To encourage effective collaboration among Hungarian and American-Hungarian cultural associations in key areas, particularly in efforts to sustain Hungarian language instruction and to promote appreciation for our historical and cultural heritage; (5) To become actively and effectively involved in the American political system, and through this involvement to support the human and minority rights of Hungarians throughout the Carpathian basin; (6) To create exchanges and links between Hungarian youth in the United States and in the Carpathian basin; (7) To continue the valuable efforts begun at this convention - Let us meet again soon, and more frequently! Participant in the meeting of the English Section added the following resolutions: (1) Let us resolve to establish a Museum of the 1956 Revolution in Budapest; (2) Let us pass the torch of leadership to a new generation within American-Hungarian institutions and associations; (3) Recognizing that we are a bilingual community; let us strive to ensure that English-speaking American-Hungarians feel welcome within our organizations and at our gatherings; (4) Let us encourage newly arrived immigrants and Hungarians who are temporarily working or studying in the United States to take an active role within American-Hungarian cultural life; (5) Let us encourage all American-Hungarians to identify themselves as such on the 2000 American Census. Hungarian Studies at Rutgers University At Rutgers University two professors in four classes are teaching Hungarian to fifty students. At the opening of the semester Dr. József Böröcz, Dean of the Institute, introduced the guests and dignitaries. Professor Judith Hajnal from the Debrecen University Summer School is teaching advanced classes. Miklós Molnár, Fulbright professor, is teaching at Rutgers’ Communication Department in English. August Molnár host showed the Museum and Library of the Hungarian Heritage Center. Professor Károly Nagy, president of the Alumni Association gave an account of their October program. Miklós Kontra on October 10, gave a lecture on Central Europe’s minority situation. Géza Jeszenszky, Ambassador of Hungary gave a lecture on the ‘56 Revolution on October 22. Finally József Böröcz presented a plan of Hungarian Studies at Rutgers University. (Amerikai Magyar Szó, October 21,1999)
