The Eighth Tribe, 1976 (3. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1976-11-01 / 11. szám
November, 1976 THE EIGHTH TRIBE Page 5 five-foot granite block and is placed within a garden-like area upon the particular spot where the Cardinal had spoken to approximately 10,000 people on his earlier visit to the United States. Continuing the description of the unveiling ceremony, the benediction thereafter was proferred by Rev. Nicholas Dengl, O.F.M., Editor, Hungarian Weekly. In closing, the children of St. Ladislaus School and the crowd, sang together with the Band accompaniment, “God Bless America,” a most appropriate capstone to this singularly important event. A banquet for over 400 persons at about 6:30 p.m. was held at the Hungarian American Athletic Club auditorium, with greetings to all extended first in English by Emma Deutsch; William Kukor acted as Master of Ceremonies. Lajos Hajdu-Nemeth, Sr. gave welcoming greetings in Hungarian, reflecting upon the happenings twenty years ago of the freedom attempt plus the subsequent plight of Hungary and its foremost Prelate. The depth of his remarks perceptibly touched the sentiments of many listeners, especially so, for reliving the on-the-spot experience of that particular place and time. The invocation followed, given by the Rev. William J. Capik, St. Peter’s Church, New Brunswick, N. J., after which introduction of honored guests were made. The Honorable Frank Horton of the U.S. House of Representatives (District of New York) next addressed the general assemblage in English. He expressed the personally-felt wish that what occurred here/now/today could have been shared, too, in Budapest, Hungary and elsewhere for the sake of remembrance of the first freedom fighter martyr of the 1956 attempt in the cause for Hungarian independence. He mentioned that Hungarians and the community of Rochester, N.Y. continue to hold anniversary observances to renew their yearning in this long-held and long-denied desire for unencumbered independence. Congressman Horton spoke about the need for strengthening freedom abroad and that principal policies ought be “pragmatic,” with freely-chosen lines of initiative. More importantly, “our pragmatism must not be naked of morality— but concerned essentially with the belief in freedom and self-determination” for others as well. He remarked that “world opinion” ought to keep “spotlights focused on minor satellite countries which become encompassed by more powerful major nations.” Mention also was made that there were some reflective “thoughts being given to the signing not long ago of the Helsinki Accord” regarding the acknowledgment of national borders; that “minority peoples throughout the world ought not be overlooked nor ignored.” The Congressman spoke further about the refugee-like status of Cardinal Mindszenty over the many years within the American Embassy in Hungary—a sanctuary somewhat from the ensuing difficulties of oppressive times. Horton stated that “there were noticeable signs” of the “tonal” attitude toward “encouraging spiritual freedom in America through allowing expression of Hungarian culture, artistry, and creativity.” Further, “this twentieth anniversary observance of the October revolt in Hungary serves as a rededication to the ideals, principals, and values of Mindszenty, which the Cardinal had stood for and, as a result, suffered for.” Representative Horton also remarked that he had “basically accepted the national chairmanship of the Bicentennial Celebration of America for the very real reason of reiterating our own country’s original needs of freedom and selfdetermination as well as the reassurance of these valued qualities as desired aims for all.” Additionally, he mentioned the necessity that “upraised voices ought to be listened to regarding Hungary’s expressed needs;” he told particularly of the “renewed interest for review of England’s Magna Carta, whose context dates back to 1215 and bespeaks of people’s fundamental rights, and of which great document a copy had been given the United States by Britain’s currently reigning Queen Elizabeth” as a gift a propos to our Bicentennial Celebration year. “America’s own documents” in recording our nation’s birth “ought to serve in reaffirming the valiant “needs of human beings, just as the newly-erected statue of Mindszenty” can be considered an analogous documentation as a symbol attesting to the “striving need toward seeking freedom” of religious, socio-political, and cultural natures. An invigorated response was generated by the applauding audience. Thereafter, remarks in Hungarian, poignant to the entire commemorative occasion, were delivered by Dr. András Pogány of Seton Hall University, New Jersey, who heads the Federation of Freedom Fighters in America. He related the background of Hungary’s desires for independence which dates back to much earlier times—from such attempts as “in 1848, through the intervening years of both World Wars, then the aborted 1956 revolt, and on up to the present, as far as progression is concerned in its historical annotations” of unaccomplished success toward achieving freedom and self-governance. However, the “yearning, striving, and hoping still continues” as an undimished flame in the inner core within the “hearts and minds of the Hungarian people in their aspiring wish” for future attainment of their unencumbered soverign “independence.” The attentive members of the audience warmly responded with their generous applause. Subsequently, Rev. Julian Fuzer, compassionately spoke to the assemblage of his reflections about the late Cardinal and his Eminence’s visit to America in 1973 when he was present for the rededication of the then newly-renovated St. Ladislaus Church; that event, of course, is and will always be vividly remembered as a most highly meaningful experience in all the lives of the individuals that were affected— not only parishioners and members of the community, but also persons beyond local geographic areas into the wider world’s inhabitants who noted the momentary freedom granted temporarily to a heroic but frail octagenarian. He said that “the past is gone and unalterable; that it is the present and future with which we must be concerned in whatever positive and constructive way through worthwhile works that we can become involved in.” The statue perhaps in a way can convey this idea. Rev. Fuzer said that “he himself had known the sculptor for many years and believed that a fitting tribute to the late Cardinal would be achieved “through Mr. Ferenc Varga’s talented accomplishments. He also presented a quotation from Gyula Illyés’ poetry (which is herewith given as an approximate translation only in part): “Under your very own weight, your own personality is enough to make you fall deeply downward; if you wish to ascend, you need the hearts of your fellowmen—in fact, thousands upon thousands of them.” Implied in the foregoing would be the notion that great numbers of followers, who were fervantly adhering believers, would be needed as supports in uplifting one from out of below-level depths. It was related also that the Cardinal was the kind of person who magnanimously would bless each and everyone who would be interested in furthering the progress of good
