Hungarian Church Press, 1949 (1. évfolyam, 4-13. szám)
1949-05-08 / 4. szám
Bishop Albert Boreczky officiated at the installment.He emphasized that a superintendent must be a man of faith who is leda by God, He must be a man of clear vision who does not live in. illusions«. Ho must be a men of action,and one who acts in time,and who creates and inspires confidence at the same time* The new superintendent began his speech by taking the old Bible of his late grandfather,who himself V/Q.S presbyter,and read the verse which he has chosen as the guide in his new office: "Por we are not as many,which corrupt the word of God: but as-of sincerity but as of God,in the sight of God speak we in Ohrist." /II.Cor.2,17«/ He then continued: "If the Church wants to fulfil?, her calling she must create a suitable position for herself in that social order in which she has to serve.Her position depends on her relationship with those factors which have an importance in the life and development of society. - First of all we must be clear about our relationship to Christ.Not as Church only but within that as clrurchmombers too» This is the first thing and only after we ourselves have received gifts from Christ which are to be distributed, can all those follow whom we are to serve with the glad news and the truth of Christ. We must find them in the sxirroundings of their lives. We must clarify our relationship with the state,the social order and with their ideological basis too,which is socialism. Likewise have we to clarify our relations with other Christian Churches and denominations. We have to make order within our own house too; by self criticism,repentance,revival continuous reformation,if necessary by new constitution.by perfecting our organisation,strengthening and purifying cur inner livescThis should refer to the Church as well as to churchmembers individually too. A Church cannot be strong here on earth unless her members are strong in. the faith and active in witnessing» Alas, our relations with Jesus are not satisfactory.According to the Scriptures the love of money.is the root of all evil. /I»Tim.6,10/ And yet László Ravasz says in his far-well speech as bishop that the Church in her avolution has grown together with capitalist cékass domination in the course centuries. - Wo have left the way of Christ whon wo fell into the sin of worshipping the golden calf and allowed the godless and inhuman capitalism to press the Church into its service. There is only one way of reconciliation with Christ: - to destroy the golden calf. Jesus said this clearly to the rich young man that this was the first condition of disciplcship.He demanded from him also to break all ties which bound him to Mammon•This"is the "conditio sine qua non" of our return to Jesus' way.He demands from us too to break-all ties which have bound the Church, her servants and members to capitalism.This is the first step towards revival.If the Church has not been able to do this by her own initiative throughout centuries,let us at least now when the democracy has taken off -.j the burden of capitalism help those who are destroying the golden calf.Let us give thanks unto God, that through the democracy He has delivered us from the abominable rule of the golden calf. No 4» -4~ May 8, 1949
