Calvin Synod Herald, 1977 (77. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1977-07-01 / 7-8. szám

4

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

R.C.A. General Synod:

ACTION ON RUMANIA

GSEC to Intercede on Behalf of Hungarian Reformed Churches in Rumania.

17. The Classis of New Brunswick, being deeply concerned with the plight of the earthquake-ravaged Hungarian Reformed churches in Rumania, and being concerned that the avenues of international assistance for these churches have been reported to be blocked by the Rumanian Government, hereby overtures the General Synod to direct the General Synod Executive Committee to intercede with the Department of State on behalf of these ravaged and politically isolated churches, and to urge the World Council of Churches to exercise its good offices to the same end.

Reasons:

1. The fellow Reformed Christians living in Transylvania of the Socialist Republic of Rumania suffer political and religious disadvantages because they are Christians in a Communist country, Reformed Christians in a predominately Orthodox environment and Hungarians that are a miority are severely hindered in the exercise of their fundamental human rights.

2. The latest illustration can be seen in the way the March 4, 1977 earthquake was handled. While the religious and non-religious news services, upon the information received from the government, reported the heavy damages suffered by the Orthodox, LutherEgerpatak

an, Baptist, and Roman Catholic churches, NOT A WORD WAS SAID on the damages suffered by the Reformed Church (Hungarian) of Rumania. This created the false impression that no support was needed in Transylvania. Permit to visit these areas was denied by the government.

3. As facts slowly came to light, it became clear that only in Kovasna County, 60 of the 75 Reformed Church buildings were damaged. In 15 church buildings, worship services cannot be held any longer; 5 church buildings had to be demolished immediately; 6 bell towers were damaged beyond repair; fortress walls of 6 churches were totally demolished; 2 parsonages suffered heavy damages. It is believed that the amount of damage inflicted on these churches may be as high as $2,000,000.

4. To prove these facts, the Calvin Synod of the United Church of Christ (also the Magyar Reformed Church of New Brunswick, N.J.) has in its possession photos recently taken in Pake, Egerpatak, Sepsiszentgyorgy, Rety, Ilyefalva, Tamasfalva, Cofalva, Zohala, Hidveg. Other heavily damaged churches include: Csernaton, Lecfalva, Nagyborosnyo, etc.

Your committee is in sympathy with the expressed sentiments of the overture. We recommend APPROVAL and referral to GSEC for implementation.

Fáké