HIS-Press-Service, 1985 (8. évfolyam, 26-28. szám)
1985-02-01 / 28. szám
HIS Press Service No. 28, February 1985 Page 6 taken to find a solution to them. Let us now express these general demands in a more concrete way, showing, in our opinion, what steps are necessary within the Church in Hungary. THE PROBLEM OF THE "ORDERED CONDITIONS" The so-called "ordering" of the relations between Church and State is guaranteed by an open-ended ruling which offers the State countless possibilities of interfering in internal Church affairs. The most drastic of these is the interference of the State - regardless of the unequivalent written regulation - in all of the bishops actions. As the practice shows, the State is not just content that the bishops, according to the decrees No. 22/1957 and No. 18/1959, and the slightly moderated decree of June 1971, should keep the State Office for Church Affairs informed about significant measures only, but, moreover they cannot even transfer a chaplain at their own discretion; furthermore, it is often the authorities themselves who instruct the bishops about transfers, especially if a particular pastor is, in their opinion, too successful in carrying out his work. Another grave interference on the part of the State is that it insists, as before, on filling the key positions within the Church with persons of its own choice, who are amenable to the State, (mostly with priests from the Peace Movement) regardless whether these persons further the needs of the Church or meet with the approval of the bishops. These persons selected by the State are naturally concerned about meeting with the State's intentions, i.e. helping to execute its political aims within the Church, while at the same time, making sure that any initiatives which are not conducive to this purpose come to nothing. Both practices are in flagrant contradiction to the rulings of the Council regarding the independence of the Church. These regulations expressly underline the appoint - ment and installation of bishops as the exclusive right of the Church and her leader responsible for this. The exact wording of this ruling is - "Thus the holy ecumenical Synod declares that it is the fundamental, independent and exclusive right of the Church leader responsible for this matter to appoint and install bishops. In order to legitimately protect the freedom of the Church and in order to promote the welfare of the faitful in an improved and freer manner, the Holy Council expresses the wish that, in future, state authorities should no longer be given the rights and privileges of selecting, recommending, appointing or designating bishops. The state authorities, whose goodwill towards the Church is gratefully appreciated and esteemed, are kindly requested, after consultation with the Apostolic See, to renounce voluntarily the rights or privileges mentioned which they enjoy at present through contract or practice." (Vatican II, Decisions taken by the Council, Decree on the pastoral task of the Bishops in the Church, Point 20).
