HIS-Press-Service, 1982 (7. évfolyam, 22-24. szám)
1982-04-01 / 23. szám
HIS Press Service No.23, April 1982 Page 2 assisted by László Paskai, as Archepiscopal Coadjutor with the right of succession. József Szendi has been appointed as Apostolic Administrator to take over the administration of the Diocese of Veszprém, which is one of the country's most important dioceses. Before being appointed to Esztergom, both Cardinal Mindszenty and also Hungary's present head, Cardinal László Lékai, were bishops of the Veszprém Diocese. József Szendi, the theology professor who was also considered a candidate for the episcopal appointments made in 1979, has now become a member of the country's episcopacy through his appointment as head of the Veszprém Diocese. He is wellliked in his present diocese of Székesfehérvár and is known to be a proponent of conservative views on Church life. At the time of the controversy between the Bishops Conference and the author of the pamphlet entitled "Pastoral Marketing," which was passed around within several base groups, it was József Szendi whom Cardinal Lékai turned to for a summary of the "Marketing" text. This summary served as the basis for an evaluation of the original by the Bishops Conference, although the author of "Marketing" called it a falsification. The question arises as to why Szendy was not chosen as one of the four members of the Theological Commission set up by Cardinal Lékai at December 1981 to conduct a theological examination of private tracts written by some of the members of base groups, though perhaps Szendi's impending episcopal appointment was the reason for his exclusion. The designation of Gellêrt Belon as Auxiliary Bishop of Pécs is of special significance. The 71-year-old pastor of Jánoshalma had already been appointed as bishop by the Holy See in 1959, though his consecration never took place since the Vatican had failed to consult with the Hungarian government before appointing him. As is known, in 1957 there went into effect in Hungary on the basis of Legal regulation Nr.22, §1 the stipulation that "(1) in all nominations for positions or honors of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as in the case of the entrustment with special missions which fall, in accordance with Church law, within the jurisdiction of the Roman Pontiff, further, in the exercise of all these functions within the territory of the Hungarian Peoples Republic, the advance consent of the Presidential Council of the Peoples Republic must be obtained. This regulation is also applicable in the case of transfers or removal from office."
