Magyar Egyház, 1956 (35. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1956-06-01 / 6-7. szám
16 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ REPORT COLOMBIAN PERSECUTION “An alarming increase in religious persecution” of Protestants in Colombia has been reported from South America. The Committee on Latin American Cooperation of the National Council of Churches said last week it has learned from “reliable cources” that thirty Protestant churches were closed and seven Protestant ministers jailed by the government during the month of April. An order issued by the Colombia government last fall forbids the holding of Protestant services, both private and public, inside or outside of church buildings in the “mission territories,” an area covering close to three-quarters of the country. The only form of religious service it permits in these areas is prayer in the home of “a foreign Protestant.” A report of the situation is given in the May issue of the Latin American News Letter, published by the National Council committee. It reports attacks on many church groups have been excused by government authorities on the grounds that Colombian Protestants are allegedly linked to international Communism. “This accusation has been reiterated recently by the highest governmental and ecclesiastical authorities . . . and by the Catholic clergy from their pulpits, by radio and in their publications,” the Newsletter says. It quotes the Catholic bishop of Cali, Dr. Julio Caicedo in a pastoral letter to the effect that “the majority of the Protestants, Colombians as well as foreigners are related to Communism.” The constitution of the Latin American Republic specifically guarantees “the liberty of conscience. No one will be disturbed because of his religius opinions, nor compelled to profess believes nor observe practices contrary to his conscience,” it states. In the last eight years the Newsletter reports, 46 church buildings have been destroyed by fire or dynamite; 75 Protestáns killed because of their religious faith and more than 200 schools closed by the government. The Newsletter has been distributed by the Committee to officials of its 37 cooperating denominations throughout the U.S. and to missionary and national workers of all denominations in Latin America. The Rel. Newsweekly. --------------•-------------FAIR-WEATHER CHRISTIANS Both within and without the church we meet fairweather people, people who do not fling themselves into the serious work of living for God. There is the minister who will hold back the truth of God, and will trim his message of all that seems hard and crude in order that he may not offend the sensibilities and tastes of his hearers. There is the businessman who is compliant with courses which are doubtful, because to speak with courage and to act with boldness might involve him in commercial disaster. There is the young Christian who is afraid to declare himself or herself on the side of Jesus Christ because of the wind of unpopularity which blows down upon anyone who sets himself against the prevailing conditions today. J. Stuart Holden (Church Herald.) YOUTH CONFERENCE The Bethlen Youth Federation’s National Conference will be held in our Church, Trenton N. J. The Young People’s Society of Trenton is making all preparations for the event. The program and registration papers will be sent out to every organization in time, that they may discuss all questions. The date is September lst-2nd and 3rd, Labor Day weekend, and it is expected that everyone of our young people will reserve this date for the Annual Youth Conference.-------------•------------PROGRAM OF THE 17th NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF BETHLEN YOUTH FEDERATION SEPTEMBER I, 1956 Registration at time of arrival — Young People’s Clubroom, Grand anti Beatty Streets. Placements of delegates. Afternoon free. 3:00 p.m. Executive Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. Supper — Church Hall 8:00 p.m. Devotional: Rev. Stephen Szőke 8:30 p.m. Social Program. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1956 11:00 a.m. Worship Service: Archdean Zoltán Beky 12:00 p.m. Dinner: Chuch Hall — Group Picture 2:00 p.m. Opening of Conference. 2:30 p.m. E. Presentation of Theme: “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life” Rev. Monroe Drew, Jr., Pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian Church, Trenton, New Jersey. 3:30 p.m. Fifteen minutes intermission 4:45 p.m. Business Meeting 6:00 p.m. Supper: Church Hall 9:00 p.m. Social. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1956 8:00 a.m. Breakfast at Church Hall 9:00 a.m. Outing Spiritual Discussion with Pastors Games, etc. to end of Conference. “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” I. Timothy, (4:12.) Béla Bartók, "One of the Greatest Musicians of All Times" SAID Francis Poulenc in an article of the french magazine “Revue Musicale”. The last issue of “Hiriink a Világban” (Bimonthly, Washington D.C.) is dedicated to the memory of the great Hungarian composer Béla Bartók, died 10 years ago. The famous violinist Joseph Szigethy pays his tribute to Béla Bartók. Excerpts are published from the forthcoming book of William Juhász on: “Béla Bartók’s last years in America”. The Bartók memorial concerts are well received in every country. One of the most outstanding was held in New York City at the Columbia University, when Tibor Serly, Joseph Szigethy and László Csabay participated.
