HIS-Press-Service, 1978 (3. évfolyam, 9-12. szám)
1978-11-01 / 12. szám
HIS Press Service No.12. November 1978 Page 2 circumstances under which it was taking place, was highly important. Many persons - especially people who were young and ambitious - were coming together with likeminded friends, and were using these situations to further their knowledge of theology through group study. In connection with this, mention should be made of the fact that up to 1946 Hungary's Catholic Church constantly concerned itself with bringing together in religious associations those of its members who demonstrated spiritual dynamism and an active interest in religion. One of the aims of these associations was the continued religious education of their members. After the associations were dissolved in 1946 by a decree of the Ministry of the Interior, the interest which still existed in religion was suddenly left without foundations to build upon, i.e., it was forced back into the private sphere of the individual Catholic.As a result, especially in the cities, small religiously-interested groups suddenly mushroomed into existence. Friends came together to study the Bible and discuss theological questions. In the eyes of the Communist government, however, such a formation of religious groups among circles of friends, - or, for that matter, any group of this kind - was long viewed as an act of aggression against the State or, put differently, as a preparation for organizational activity. In numerous cases, the police and the courts were employed to combat the existence of these groups. In recent years, however, the realpolitik gradually achieving official acceptance is that participation on a friendship basis in religiously-orientated groups does not come under the heading of "national security." The authorities are now willing to refrain from police action against them - provided the official Church authorities integrate these small Church groups into the larger Community of the Faithful, so that the undertakings of these groups occur within a framework which facilitates the State in keeping track of their activities. Preliminary Difficulties In December 1976, the Hungarian Bishops Conference officially dealt with the question of these small Church groups for the first time. It was also announced at the time that consideration was being given to the idea of introducing extension courses at Budapest's Theological Academy and the other theological colleges elsewhere in Hungary. These courses would offer lay persons opportunity for spiritual growth and continued religious education. These intentions were made public in the communique released by the Hungarian bishops at their winter conference session. The official nature of the statement makes it certain that the Bishops Conference had already received some form of authorization from the State Office for Church Affairs for the introduction of such an extension course. The difficulties which nevertheless arose during the plan's realisation provide a good example of the ways in which the State, under the cloak of legality, is able to interfere even in Church concerns for which State permission has already been received. What also becomes obvious here, however, is the extent to which Hungary's Church still lacks the skill and experience needed for smoothly transacting affairs which were devel
