Magyar News, 1991. szeptember-1992. augusztus (2. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1992-12-01 / 4. szám
POPE IN HUNGARY (Continued from previous page) lifestyle, because that is all I can see as an effective start to the rebirth of this country. I suggest this to all: not just to those who belong to the Church, not only to those who belong in any way to the Christian community, but towards all men. How could we honestly acknowledge or know what is truly beneficial for us without listening to our almighty Creator, who created us and knows exactly what we are in need of. How could we possibly rise up over our pity and selfish needs, to realize our true faith, if we don’t love God who created us in the image and likeness of himself and called us to become more and more similar to this image of God. We all know very well how weak we are when it comes to accepting the truth of salvation, which enables us to live our lives according to our consciences. We, through our own strength alone, cannot reach that which will lead us to the glory and peace of God. I also came so that we can all pray together. Hopefully through our mutual prayers, God will hear our true hearts’ desires and wishes. I trust that millions of Hungarians are uniting their prayers so that they can build a new country for the generations to come. God bless the Hungarians.” In Mariapocs, this is how the Holy Father greeted the crowd of 250,000: “From the bottom of my heart, I thank all of the people who came from neighboring countries such as the Ukranians, Slovaks, Ruthenians and Romanians. I would especially like to thank the Hungarians who live in the neighboring countries, who came to be with their fellow Hungarians to greet the successor of Saint Peter. Today your assignment is to take your newly gained freedom and use it to the benefit of all your Christian brothers and sisters, and to improve Christian relations with other peoples and also other nations. Remain loyal and true to your spiritual openness. Always keep guard over your faith! May God bless all of you!” At the Ferihegy Airport in Budapest in His farewell speech the Holy Father said: “During my pastoral visit here in Hungarian, I tried to fulfill my mission: I wanted to strengthen the Hungarian church and the whole nation in her aspiration to seek for life in all its fullness. From the bottom of my heart I wish to the Hungarian nation and to each and every Hungarian, wealth, peace and justice and for the above I ask the help and blessing of our God.” Tens and hundreds of thousands went to the papal masses, millions watched Him on TV, because they felt that the Holy Father is a man, priest, high priest, Vicar of Christ who brought them love and peace. Everybody, Hungarians and members of other nations who were participants of His visit, spoke about it with great admiration, Hungary is the only nation who has a papal hymn. Let me conclude with the words of our papal hymn: “God bless our Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ.” It is a good feeling to know that our senators from Connecticut not only show their consideration for the Hungarian people but do something about it. Here is a letter, a welcome one, that we recently received from Senator Dodd. CHRISTOPHER J. DODD CONNECTICUT Bnited States Senate WASHINGTON, OC 20510-0702 October 11, 1991 Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Balogh 60 Tyrone Place Stratford, Connecticut 06497 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Balogh: As the dramatic events in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union continue to unfold, I want to take this opportunity to share some thoughts with you on issues of importance to the Hungarian community. As you may know, last year I had the pleasure of visiting Hungary again. I then traveled through Transylvania all the way from Temesvár through Kolozsvár to Marosvasarhely with my friend Bishop László Tokes. It was a truly moving experience to attend Pentecost service with Bishop Tokes in the very church where his courageous resistance to the dictator Ceausescu sparked the Romanian uprising of 1989. I also had the high honor of being introduced in the Parliament of Hungary — the very centerpiece of this new democracy — and recognized for my work on behalf of the Hungarian minority in Romania. Unfortunately, the collapse of communism has not ended the plight of Hungarian minorities. I want you to know that I continue to take a deep interest in Hungary's reform course and in the progress of Hungarians everywhere who seek true equality. In July I attached a provision to the foreign assistance bill that condemns the treatment of the Hungarian minority in Romania and calls on President Bush to condition any future assistance to Romania on progress in this area. I also want to help improve the effectiveness of our assistance program to Hungary. Last week, at my invitation, Prime Minister József Antall took the opportunity during his visit in Washington to attend the weekly policy luncheon of Democratic Senators. My colleagues and I enjoyed hearing from him on how we can do more to help Hungary and how we can help protect the 500,000 Hungarians trapped in the Vajdasag by the Yugoslav civil war. The concerns of Hungarian-Americans throughout Connecticut are very important to me, as are the needs of Hungarians everywhere. I hope you will stay in touch with me as I continue to work on both. CHRISTOPHER J. DODD United States Senator A.H.H.A. BOARD OF DIRECTORS The American Hungarian Heritage Association this fall elected a new slate of officers. Re-elected as president is Joseph F. Balogh from Stratford, Louis Standish of Bridgeport honorary president, Joan Pastor from Fairfield as secretary. As first vicepresident Joseph Stiber, Fairfield, was chosen. Other directors of the board are: Bridgeport: Rozsika Deutsch, Louis Rezoly, Arlene Vaisil. Fairfield: Allan Chomortany, Helen Fazekas, Helen Szabó, Steve Havery. Stratford: Grace Toth. Norwalk: Bela Szabó, Shirley Bartha, Rose Toth, Eva László. The American Hungarian Heritage Association would like to call on our Hungarian community to support it in its drive to spread the Hungarian culture, spirit and pride in our area. Consider signing up as a member, and as a volunteer to be part of a beautiful and worthy cause.
