Magyar Egyház, 1962 (41. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
1962-10-01 / 10. szám
8 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ MAGYAR Jp| CHURCH- - = = Tr-tARTe? » Editorial OCTOBER 23 T/iw w the sixth anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian uprising — an uprising spontaneous, heroic, idealistic and drowned in blood by Russian and Hungarian communists at all times scared to death to allow the people express freely what they want. Sir Leslie Munro’s recent report at the UN vigorously protested by the Russian and Hungarian representatives disclosed that there has been no change in regard to basic human rights in Hungary, no free elections, still 40 thousand Russian troops in the country, several thousand political prisoners in jail. On this anniversary we recall the grave and yet beautiful words of the German Professor Helmuth Gollwitzer who after World War II was a Russian prisoner of war for many years. He spoke these words on Remembrance Day in 1956: “We bow our heads in recognition of their heroic struggle and their immeasurable sacrifice. They are fighting for our cause, for human freedom in face of tyranny ... The movement in Hungary and Poland teaches us to set a higher estimate on the political importance of the spirit of a people than we have often done in the past. We have allowed ourselves to be too much impressed by the enormous material power at the disposal of a 20thcentury state, and have often been defeatist in our attitude to the power of the spirit . . . Now they have proved that people cannot be perrnantly degraded into mere raw material for their rulers to mould just as they wish. They have given fresh significance to the words ‘justice,’ ‘freedom,’ and ‘democracy’ which we so often misuse . . . During these days we have seen that even Communists can change and that Communism therefore does not always remain the same. We should not build illusory hopes on the fact, but these experiences should give us far more confidence in the power of the spirit . . . These last weeks have shaken our young people to the depths. A younger generation which refuses to be dominated and which rebels, not for the sake of making a row, but because it cannot live without truth, justice and freedom, is a guarantee that we shall not fall prey to tyranny . . .” To take to heart these words would be a most fitting remembrance. OPENING OF THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL As we go to press the Second Vatican Council has just been opened by Pope John XXIII., with a stirring address pleading for unity among Christians. Two passages in the Pope’s address especially catches the attention of the Protestant reader. “The great problem confronting the world” — the Pope said — “after almost 2,000 years, remains unchanged. Christ is ever resplendent as the center ol history and life; men are either with Him and His Church, and then they enjoy light, goodness, order, and peace; or else they are without Him, or against Him, and deliberately against Him, and deliberately against His Church, and then they give rise to confusion, to bitterness in human relations, and to constant dangers of fractricidal wars.” If the Pope meant under “His Church” the Church Universal — and this is suggested by the context — the Protestant is in agreement and says “Amen.” Another passage, however, seems to repeat the old “back to Rome” demand: “The Catholic Church, raising the torch of religious truth by means of this Ecumenical Council, desires to show herself to be the loving mother of all, benign, patient, full of mercy and goodness towards the children separated from her.” It remains to be seen which will become the decisive voice of the Council. Andrew Harsanyi ANNUAL ELDERS’ CONFERENCE The 1962 Annual Elder’s Conference of the Eastern and New York Classes has been called for Sunday, November 4 to the Trenton, N. J. church. According to the invitation signed by Stephen Bodnar, President; Andrew Ture, Vice- President; Bertalan Bartha and Alex Szalontai, secretaries; and John Lazar, Treasurer, the conference will start at 2 P.M. with registration. Following a brief worship service and greetings by the President, participants will be divided into English speaking and Hungarian speaking groups. Both groups will listen to a lecture on “The Responsibility and Calling of the Hungarian Reformed Elder Today.” Then, discussion groups will take up the following topics: The Responsibility and the Service of Chief Elders, The Responsibility and Service of Treasurer, Elders and Christian Education, Elders and Mission, Membership and Pastors. The discussion groups will report their findings to the plenary session at 4:30. A business meeting with election of new officers will close the meeting. Supper will be served at 6 P.M. Registration fee (also covering cost of supper): $1.50. All board members of the congregations are expected to attend.
