HIS-Press-Service, 1982 (7. évfolyam, 22-24. szám)
1982-04-01 / 23. szám
KIS Press Service No.23, April 1982 Page 5 in the framework of the festive departure of his predecessor, Dr. György Kovács, in August 1978. After dwelling extensively upon the accomplishments of Dr. Kovács in the service of the Church, the fatherland, and the State, as well as his activi ty - for which the State bestowed upon him a special honor - on behalf of the Priests for Peace Movement, Vicar General Elek Rákosi the president of the Catholi Priests for Peace Movement in the County of Győr, expressed the hope - not to mention warning - that as new rector Dr. Póka would carry on the training of seminarians in the same spirit as Dr. Kovács, i.e., in the spirit of the Peace Movement. Through his many years of experience in diocesan administration, pastoral work, and the diocesan seminary, Dr. Póka brings with him optimal prerequisites for rich and effective episcopal activity, though the extent to which he will be able to utilize these capabilities in his position as auxiliary bishop to the sickly, but nevertheless very active, Diocesan Bishop Fábián, remains to be seen. As already mentioned, all appointments were "negotiated" during the regular negotiations between the Vatican and the Hungarian government, which, since 1964, are held on a semiannual basis. Episcopal appointments resulted from the negotiations which took place in 1964, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, and now in 1982. The negotiations during the course of these years resulted in 26 episcopal appointments and 28 transfers within the Hungarian Episcopacy. The appointments prompt questions about the inner unity of Hungary's episcopacy. In a speech given at the Pastoral Conference in Eisenstadt (Austria) on 8 July 1981, Cardinal Lékai referred to the matter, saying: "I shall ask a question in return. In what deanery meeting is there such a positive atmosphere and pervading sense of unity? I was both a pastor, and also a dean. I know from experience. What German synod was ever held in Austria, Switzerland, or West Germany where no opposing views were heard? At what Synod of Bishops in Rome was there complete agreement? Was there a pervading unity among the participants from beginning to end? No! That did not occur! And were there not also opposing views at Vatican II?... And yet in the end a common course of action was worked out, and that is what is important. This natural pluralism of views is present everywhere. Should it be different only in Hungary's episcopacy?" Curriculum Vitae of the New Bishops Dr. Gellert BELON was born on 24 September 1911 in Füzesabony in the County of Heves. He attended high school in Debrecen, Kecskemét and Kalocsa. He completed his theology studies in Budapest and was ordained in Kalocsa on 17 June 1934. He then began his priestly work as an assistant in Fájsz. In 1935 he completed his
