HIS-Press-Service, 1977 (2. évfolyam, 5-8. szám)
1977-06-01 / 7. szám
HIS Press Service, June 1977 Page 8 In the area of Church-State relations, one should not overlook the fact that discussion on higher levels alone are insufficient; there must also be a dialogue taking place between the ordinary believing and non-believing citizens. Those on higher levels who are responsible for drawing up the measures decided upon should also make more efforts in this direction. If the Marxists expect the Christians to adopt the findings of the Marxist-Leninist analyses in the economic, political, and cultural sectors and make them integral parts of their own philosophy of life, then the Marxists must cease looking upon religion as a hinderance to progress. They must give recognition to religion's values and accept the role of its moral influence in building up society. The distinction: "One needs the religious man, but not religion," is for a Christian both offensive and discriminatory. For the believer, it is a life necessity that his faith and his Christian and moral behavior are accepted especially at his place of work. Efforts toward a common goal can only stand under the aegis of ideological pluralism if believers and faith communities are allowed to participate in the formation of the future in a manner which is both independent and valuable in its own way. Cserháti does not overlook the dangers of cooperation with the Marxists; he is also conscious of the limits of this cooperation. The only way the believer can remain immune to this, Cserháti believes, is to cultivate an active religious life and the Christian missionary consciousness. But "for this to take place, the Church must offer both a contemporary theology and preaching and publications which give answers to today's questions; furthermore, these helps must be available to everyone." THE EVALUATION The present relations between the Church and the Communist State developed out of the serious conflict situation of the 50's. The turning point was the partial agreement reached between the Budapest government and the Vatican in 1964. After this, it took 12 years before the bishoprics which had become vacant in the meantime could again be filled and Esztergom receive a new archbishop. In the statements made at his enthronement in February 1976, both sides spoke of a historic turning point and emphasized the possibilities for a new beginning. Primate Lêkai expressed his recognition of the existing political and social realities. He also made reference to some Church problems which were urgently in need of solution. In his function as representative of the government, the head of the State Office for Church Affairs said that a solution to the still open questions would be
