Magyar Egyház, 1967 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1967-11-01 / 11-12. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 9 The joint working group also has announced plans to produce a publication that sets forth guidelines for Protestant and Roman Catholic clergy in inter-confessional or mixed marriage situations. The general topic of mixed marriage has ben a source of discussion at the group’s last two meetings. Copies of Reconsiderations, may be obtained from the Presbyterian Distribution Service, 225 Varick Street, New York, N. Y. The price is $1.25. Ministers Express Concern For Church Leaders Arrested in Hungary The Eastern District of the American Hungarian Ministerian Association, at its meeting in Trenton, New Jersey on November 6 resumed discussion of the arrest of the Rev. Balint Kovács, Dr. Denes Batiz and Janos Bugarszky, Reformed pastor and elders respectively, in Budapest, Hungary. The following letter was sent from the meeting to Dr. Tibor Bartha, Bishop and President of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary: Dear Bishop Bartha, The letter sent to you on September 7, 1967 from the Ligonier Annual Meeting of the American Hungarian Reformed Ministerial Association with regards to the arrest of the Rev. Balint Kovács and Elders Dr. Denes Batiz and Janos Bugarszky, has not been answered to this time. The Eastern Area of the Association at its meeting in Trenton, N. J. today continued with great concern the discussion of this matter. The majority of the membership of the Association in the past year or two in general, and during your visit last January in particular, did its best to initiate and to continue the brotherly dialogue between your Church and the churches of Hungarian background in the United States. It is the unanimous judgment of the Association that the existence of the Balint Kovács Case could mean a death-blow to the continuance of the dialogue. Furthermore, it is the view of this Association that, even if — out of carelessness — these men had violated some existing laws, their intention was commendable, namely the more effective Christian witness to the young people of the Church. In view of this magnanimity and leniency should have been practiced instead of a prolonged prosecution. The fact that Your Excellency did not bother to answer the September 7 letter, or at least acknowledge the receipt of the same, throws a very unfavourable light on the relationship between Church and State in Hungary. Needless to say, this unfortunate affair and your silence play squarely into the hands of those who, from the very beginning, were against any dialogue saying that what we called dialogue was actually a monologue conducted by you for propaganda purposes. The Balint Kovács Affair thus has become for us a test case concerning the future of the dialogue. This is not only the official stand of this Association but also a matter of grave concern to your personal friends. Trenton, N. J. November 6, 1967. The letter was signed by a committee consisting of the Rev. Imre Bertalan, the Rev. Dr. John Butosi, the Rev. Gabor Csordás, the Rev. Andrew Hamza and the Rev. Dr. A ndrew Harsanyi. Edward B. Fiske reported on the arrests and on the action taken by the Trenton meeting in the November 7 issue of the New York Times. Stephen Szőke: ADVENT The Advent Season is more than a measured time on the calendar; it is more than an annual preparation for Christmas; it is more than a remembrance of waiting for the coming Messiah. It is man’s passionate pleading to God for His liberation of captives from the bounds of sin; man’s faithful trust that God is with us (Emmanuel); and man’s joyful proclamation that God is stepping into human history redeemingly. It means the comforting presence and saving grace of God. Words cannot adequately express the spirit of Advent. That spirit involves a passionate yearning of man;; the realization of his sinfulness and, at the same time, his worth as a child of God through the saving power of Christ; and the joy of being accepted and redeemed, being claimed as one belonging to God the heavenly Father. While God is ready to receive man, man must make his move, a movement which involves a radical change of mind and way of life. And there is a certain urgency about the whole. God promised man the forgiveness of his sins but did not promise tomorrow (Augustine). There is an urgency in the voice of Jesus when he says, “for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” But beneath all the thunder of the call to repentance is a deeper undertone, the music of the peace of God that passes understanding, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” In this “Symphony of Advent” there are as many solos as many human hearts turn to God; they make such a beautiful harmony as the choir of angels, as man pleadingly sings, “0 come, Desire of Nations, bind All peoples in one heart and mind; Bid envy, strife and discord cease; Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.” (Ühristmaö AUNT SARAH’S GIFTS by Andrew Harsanyi The three shepherds sat silently around the fire. They pulled their mantles tight for there was a chilly wind riding over the Bethlehem field. Abner, the youngest of the three,\rose: “I’ll go and see if all are there.” John and Mark didn’t even look up, just nodded. A while later, Abner reported: “They’re all sleeping. All is quiet.” He didn’t sit down but looked searchingly at the sky over Bethlehem. “The star is still there” — he said, “still as bright as the night before last.” And after a pause he added, “But the baby was brighter. I still can’t figure out why his face shone so brilliantly.” “He is a beautiful baby” — John, the second shepherd remarked. “Yes, beautiful” — Mark, the third of them joined in the quiet conversation. “But that still doesn’t explain the radiance of his face. Unless we know it is the beauty of holiness. I think the blessing of Aaron has become true: the face of the Lord shineth through that baby.” Their silence continued and a gentle smile on their lips showed that they were reliving their visit at the cave two nights before. “I want to see him again” — Abner suddenly said and taking his staff in his hand started walking. “Are you
