Sárospataki Füzetek 21. (2017)

2017 / 2. szám - RESEARCH PAPERS-FORSCHUNGSMATERIALIEN - Pándy-Szekeres Dávid: Elements of a triangular relationship: the presbyterian church in canada, ethnic Hungarian congregations of the presbyterian curch in canada and the reformed church of hungary

Elements of a Triangular Relationship

return to Canada and by having ensconced itself in the heart of each, the world of the RCH, in these pages, had entered, in its full brokenness and in its strength, into the drawing-rooms of the PCC collective conscience.

Even before these enthusiasm-charged accounts were able to reach the general readership of the PCC, they had no doubt already reached the governing body of the PCC, for the General Assembly in June 1991 had determined the course on which it wished to set the PCC in this matter:

“The enormous changes in Eastern Europe present new opportunities and challenges for the churches. There are many signs of religious renewal across the whole area. But the churches may also have an important public role to play. Because of their good nationalist credentials, the churches are in a position to play an important mediating and reconciling role in the midst of the divisions of the newly emerging Eastern Europe. This is a situation where a genuine ecumenism might be an important influence for peace and justice.

Recommendation 6 (adopted)

That members, congregations and church courts be urged to strengthen their ties with the Christian churches of central and eastern Europe.

Recommendation 7 (adopted)

[second half:] that the government of Canada be asked to convey to the government of Rumania the continued concern for the security and freedom of the ethnic and religious minorities within Rumania.

Recommendation 8 (adopted)

That churches of central and eastern Europe be assured of our prayerful support as they work for the peace and reconciliation in a difficult time of transition; and that Bishop Tőkés and Bishop Csiha of the Reformed Church in Romania be sent a message of encouragement and fellowship.”39

Despite these initiatives, the only subsequent and apparent “strengthening of ties” for the next few years consisted of a re-affirmation of the PCC’s position in this matter40 and a signalling of problems of discrimination41 in this geographic area. By 1996, however, the beginnings of a true triangular relationship were becoming discernable. In that year, the Presbyterian Record reports42 on the North American tour of the choir from the RCH College of Sárospatak and the E. H. Johnson Award is conferred on a leader of the RCH.43 By 1997, there were three voluntary PCC missionaries working with the

39 Report on the situation in Eastern Europe, Acts and Proceedings of the General Assembly of the PCC, 1991.

40 Report on the situation in Eastern Europe, Acts and Proceedings of the General Assembly of the PCC, 1992.

4' Report on the situation in Eastern Europe, Acts and Proceedings of the General Assembly of the PCC, 1993.

42 Other News: Hungarian Choir Raises Voices to Raise Money, Presbyterian Record, June 1996,37.

43 Acts and Proceedings of the General Assembly of the PCC, 1996.

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