The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1983 (10. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1983-08-01 / 8. szám
August, 1983 THE EIGHTH HUNGARIAN TRIBE Page 5 Rev. László A. Irányi, Washington, D. C. Priest and Theologian, named by Pope John Paul II Bishop to serve Hungarian Catholics outside of Hungary Pope John Paul II has appointed a Washington priest as Bishop to serve the Hungarian communities outside of Hungary. Rev. László A. Irányi, Sch. P., former provincial of the American province of the Order of Pious Schools (Piarist Fathers), based in Washington, D. C., has been named Titular Bishop of Castel Mediano for special religious assistance to Hungarian Catholics living outside of Hungary. The appointment was announced by Archbishop Pio Laghi, Apostolic Delegate to the United States. In his new office, Bishop-elect Irányi will not head a territorial diocese, but will work with the bishops of dioceses around the world in meeting the special needs of Hungarian Catholics. Bishop-elect Irányi will be responsible to the Holy See through the Vatican Secretariat of State. Bishop-elect Irányi is the first Bishop to serve in this special capacity to the world’s Hungarian Catholica. Byelorussians, Poles, Czechs and Slovaks presently have Bishops who serve those living outside ttheir native country. Bishop-elect Irányi is the first American to be named a Bishop to serve in this special ministry. Born in Szeged, Hungary on April 9, 1923, Bishopelect Irányi entered the Order of the Pious Schools, or the Piarist Fathers as they are more commonly known, in 1941 in Budapest. The Piarist Fathers are a religious community of priests and brothers, founded in 1617 in Rome by St. Joseph Calasanctius, dedicated to the apostolaié of education. Following his ordination to the priesthood in 1948, Father Irányi completed his doctorate in sacred theology (S.T.D.) at the Gregorian University in Rome and his doctor of philosophy degree at the Angelicum in Rome. Coming to the United States in 1954, Father Irányi was assigned to the faculty of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he taught theology and philosophy. During his tenure at Mount St. Mary’s, where he taught a number of priests from around the country, Father Irányi also taught theology and philosophy at Georgetown Visitation Junior College and Immaculate College in Washington, D. C. and at St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg. Co-founder and first rector of the Piarist Father’ House of Studies in Washington, Father Irányi was vice-provincial of the American Province of the order from 1967 until 1975, when lie was elected provincial. Father Irányi completed his term as provincial last year and has been serving as first assistant provincial of the Order at their provincial house at 1339 Monroe Street in Northeast Washington. A religious broadcaster and contributor to the Voice of America, Bishop-elect Irányi became a U. S. citizen I in 1958. Currently serves as Vice President of the American Hungarian Cultural Center in Washington, D. C. He has also been honored for ecumenical cooperation by the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. He was copresident, later on President of the American Hungarian Federation. The day, time and place of Bishop-elect Irányi’s Ordination as a Bishop and the place of his new residence will be announced. * » * Statement of Bishop-elect László A. Irányi: “/ am very honored and humbled by the confidence the Holy Father has in me to appoint me to this honor. To be a priest is to be, first, a servant — a minister to Go<T s people in his name. For me, then, this is an extraordinary opportunity to be of service to those ivho are my brothers and sisters in both faith and heritage. I take this occasion to offer whatever assistance and counsel I can to Bishops and Pastors in meeting the special pastoral needs of Hungarian Catholics in their communities. 1 ask the prayers, not only of Hungarian Catholics, but of all Hungarian Christians, that, together, we might build the kingdom of God on earth.” • * # The readers of the Eighth Hungarian Tribe magazine and the members of the Hungarian Eighth Tribe Foundation join in congratulating Bishop-elect László A. Irányi and offer our prayers for him that his work may be joy-filled and productive. — editor.
