HIS-Press-Service, 1978 (3. évfolyam, 9-12. szám)
1978-11-01 / 12. szám
HIS Press Service No.12.November 1978 Page 5 velopment of the Church." During personal conversations it became quite clear, Nyfri continues, that this was also the leading motivation behind participation in the course. Many are also convinced that the Church leaders are sooner or later going to have need of them in the area of pastoral activity because of the ever increasing lack of priests. In this respect, however, it must be remembered that in Hungary such a decision is not simply an internal Church affair. State authorization would be required before lay persons could be employed in pastoral care. The still unpublished temporary statutes of the extension course contain a passage in connection with this which is written in unequivocal language: "The diploma to be granted upon successful completion of the course does not authorize the receiver to exercise any ecclesiastical or other activity, and stands in no relationship whatsoever to the legal regulations and practices affecting the activity of Church persons and employees. A further important aim of the extension course, Nyíri believes, is that through an expansion of their religious knowledge the graduates of this course will be in a better position to orient themselves in life according to Christian principles, and such a real ability to give direction to their lives is important for persons on the personal level. The knowledge passed on in this course will in addition prove quite valuable on the practical level for persons who are employed by the Church, or are involved in performing voluntary parish work. During the qualification exams, Nyíri continues, "the professors made the surprising and encouraging discovery that the faithful are filled with an immense longing for the word of God and are driven by an untiring religious zeal to find answers to their questions. They are striving to gain knowledge which can be used to formulate their faith in a clearer and more understandable manner." The Teaching Method The instructions are planned as a continous course which will take place over a period of three years. This is, on the one hand, in accordance with the 3-yeartype course, which falls under the jurisdiction of the regulation concerning extension courses; on the other hand, - i.e.,within the framework of theological studies - it conforms to the shorter course of studies, the so-called "cursus minor." There are several reasons why the method of instruction being used in the course is only temporary and thus still in the trial stage. Due to the newness of the undertaking and their own lack of experience in this area, the course designers turned to other countries and the results achieved there for advice, though the method of instruction employed by the Academy was adapted to the specifically Hungarian circumstances. In the present course plan, special emphasis has been given to the so-called "consultations" which are to take place on three weekends (Saturday and Sunday) per semester. The course participants take part in these in groups of 40. Questions are sent to them before each weekend and must be answered in writing. The professors and course members then come together to discuss and
