HIS-Press-Service, 1978 (3. évfolyam, 9-12. szám)
1978-02-01 / 9. szám
HIS Press Service No.9. February 1978 Page 5 MEMBERS OF RELIGIOUS ORDERS Hungary's religious orders were disbanded in 1950. Since then, the country has but 3 remaining orders for men and 1 for women with a total of 9 religious houses and 250 members. Each order runs two Catholic high schools and is allowed to accept two novices yearly as eventual replacements for the teaching staffs of the two schools. The religious orders permitted in Hungary are: Benedictines - Archabbey of Pannonhalma Superior: Archabbot Dr.András Szennay 9090 Pannonhalma, Vár Franciscans - Hungarian Province Superior: Dr.Sebestyén Balázs 1024 Budapest, Mártirok u.23 Piarists - Hungarian Province Superior: Dr. István Albert 1088 Budapest, Mikszáth Kálmán tér 1 School Sisters of Our Lady Superior: Magdolna Relindisz Kárpát 1092 Budapest, Knêzits u.5-7 The Church was allowed to retain these four orders on the basis of an agreement reached between the Episcopacy and the State in connection with the Legal Regulation No.34/1950 which decreed the disbandment of the religious orders. Before that time, the statistics of the religious orders in Hungary were as follows: Type of Order Orders Religious Houses Members Orders for Men 23 182 2,582 Orders for Women 40 454 8,956 Total 63 636 11,538 Of the order members who at present are not allowed to exercise any order functions, about 460 priest are involved in pastoral acitvities in the various dioceses. Of the remaining order members who have still not reached the age of retirement, some are involved in Church work (as sacristans, collectors of the voluntary Church tax, and cantors), and others are involved in secular occupations. Old age homes have been set up for the retired order members. Previous members of religious orders who are at present employed in non-Church occupations also express interest in entering these homes upon retirement.
