HIS-Press-Service, 1978 (3. évfolyam, 9-12. szám)

1978-03-01 / 11. szám

-Press-Service

Special Topic: Religion and Church in Hungary _______________ No.11 - Vi enna, March 1978

THE FACTS

Changes in the Hungarian Hierarchy

The following changes in the Hungarian College of Bishops were announced in Rome on 6 March 1978: Dr. József Bánk, until now Archbishop of Eger, was reappointed to the Episcopal See of Vác, which has been vacant since the death of Bishop Mihály Endrey, and will retain his rank of Archbishop. His successor as Archbishop of Eger will be the Diocesan Bishop of Veszprém, László Kádár. Dr.László Paskai, Rector of the Central Seminary in Budapest, was appointed both Apostolic Administrator ad nutum sanctae sedis of the Diocese of Veszprém and Titular Bishop of the Diocese of Bavagaliana. Pastor Dr.Ferenc Rosta from the Diocese of Veszprém will be Titular Bishop of Garriana and will assist the Diocesan Bishop of Székesfehérvár, Imre Kisberk, as Auxiliary Bishop.

THE BACKGROUND

Episcopal Appointments Are the Results of Negotiations

The negotiations which have regularly been taking place between the Vatican and the Hungarian government for the last decade and a half have at present resulted in both new episcopal appointments and some much-needed changes within the Hungarian hierarchy. The first appointment of new bishops as a result of the negotiations came in 1964. Further new appointments, or changes in existing ones, within the Hungarian hierarchy as the result of negotiations occurred in 1966, 1969, in every year from 1971-76, and now in 1978. In this way, 21 new appointments of bishops and 25 changes of appointments occurred within the Hungarian hierarchy during this time.

The negotiations mentioned above have dealt almost exclusively with personnel changes. In its dealings with socialistic countries, the Vatican does not concentrate its energies upon carrying out extensive church-political programs, but rather attempts to improve the concrete situation of the Catholics in these countries through working to settle the personnel questions within the hierarchy. Archbishop Agostino Casaroli, Secretary of the council dealing with public affairs of the Church, gave reasons for this approach during a speech given in Vienna in 1977.

In view of the limited possibilities open to it in these countries, Casaroli said,