Calvin Synod Herald, 1986 (86. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1986-06-01 / 3. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD — 10 — REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA originate from North-America, from where we can use well our given theological, financial and political possibilities. Let us also be realistic, in accepting such an expansive work we must overcome our own pettiness, impatience and personality conflicts. It will take courage, faith and living of the agape love. Even initial contacts will not be easy. The three world rings from which we live and would serve require differing methodologies. We have churches for whom even the first step will be impossible for the time being. We would squarely have to face these difficulties. Since our bishop reported on the General Synod XV resolution on “Hungarian Minorities in Romania and Czechoslovakia” (85-GS-84) as well as on the resolution of the Caribbean and North American Area Council (CANAAC) of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches at its Annual Meeting on February 23, 1986 in regard to religious liberty in Romania (86- 31), I do not want to repeat what he wrote. If you read the two documents which have appeared in the last issue of The Calvin Synod Herald, you would know the main issues of the religious situation in Erdély at the present time. Thus I will report to you only on the newer developments that took place since February, 1986. The Administrative Committee of CANAAC of which I am a member as the chairman of the Committee on Cooperation and Witness, met on April 27-28 when a Statement by Dr. Edmond Perret, WARC General Secretary was received which reads: “There is no reason to doubt that these Bibles (20,000 Hungaian Bibles sent by WARC to the Reformed Church in Romania) have not been distributed, as we have received confirmation from some recipients. — A full report from the Reformed Church in Romania re. the distribution of these copies has not been made available to us. — If copies of the Bible in Hungarian language have been recycled in toilet paper, there is all likelihood that these were not the copies offered in the 1960’s by the WARC and in 1980 by the UBS and the WARC." The Administrative Committee wanted to use the embarassment to constructive ends and therefore it resolved that “while the Statement by Edmond Perret, dated December 16, 1985 does not answer adequately our question raised at our Our beginning emphasis can be to strengthen existing contacts with congregations in Western Europe, Australia, South-Africa, South-America and North- America — those in the free world. Soon thereafter, we have to deal with and clarify our relationship with the Mother Church in Hungary. This is a difficult but inevitable task. In this process we can suggest to them that a section be established in the Ecumenical Department of the Collegium Doctorum to provide a platform for their part of the Hungarian Reformed Ecumenical World Council. The more difficult work waits for us CANAAC meeting on January 22-25, 1986, CANAAC is eager and wiling to meet the need of the Hungarian Reformed minority in Romania in regard to Hungarian Bibles and Reformed literature, and therefore asks the good offices of WARC in Geneva to find ways to explore, implement and verify such plans as soon as possible through the good will of the Romanian government and the Reformed Church in Romania.” If you ask me why should we press action in CANAAC, let me share with you my conviction that presently CANAAC is the only ecumenical organization which can rightfully raise and faithfully execute issues of religious liberty and human rights in the Soviet block. The World Council of Churches had an opportunity at the Nairobi Assembly in 1975 to deal with this issue meaningfully when a passionate letter for help, written by two Russian believers (Fr. Gleb Yakunin and Lew Regelson) reached the delegates. After much debate, the WCC expressed concern about restrictions to religious liberty, particularly in the USSR, and requested the General Secretary to see to it that the question of religious liberty be subject of intense consultations with the member churches of the signatory states of the Helsinki Agreement. Dr. Potter asked the Moscow Patriarchate — and no one else — to respond and thus the spirit of Nairobi evaporated. Fr. Gleb was arrested on Nov. 1, 1979, and Lev Regelson on Dec 25, 1979, and the Vancouver Assembly dropped the issue because “resolutions against USSR might cause problems for Soviet churches.” - The European Area Council of WARC cannot and will not deal with this issue, unless WE open the door which was closed by the Vancouver Assembly of WCC. Thus no ecumenical organization will deal vis-a-vis the churches located in those countries which surround Hungary (except for Austria and perhaps Yugoslavia). In the case of Romania and the Soviet Union we will need particular tact, patience and solid prayer. The spiritual pollen of such an Ecumenical World Council will enrich our collective and individual lives everywhere. Let us remember that the Lord of Life has always led His people by means of historical events and the future of the choosen people depended and still depends on how they respond to the challenge of the present. Rev. Laslo M. Medyesy Ligonier, Pa., 1966 with this issue except the CANAAC if we are able to represent it with insight and ecumenical integrity. This is one of our historic tasks! Of course, what we expect of others, we should do it, too. What can we do? 1. Be informed! This means: read “Amnesty International USA,” “Religion in Communist Lands”(Keston College),“Religion in Communist Dominated Areas” (Research Center for Religious and Human Rights in Closed Societies), etc. 2. Pray for the persecuted! Perhaps we should initiate a “Call of World-wide Prayer for the Persecuted.” When? Perhaps on Human Rights Day, December 10. 3. Establish meaningful personal contacts! This is more and more difficult in Romania, but not impossible if we do not try to pride in our “mission” at their expense! 4. Publicize the persecution! Perhaps we can publish the journal of the Rev. Sándor Szilágyi. 5. Become involved. All Christian denominations should involve themselves in this as an effective witness to Christ in the modern world. For Calvin Synod it is a historic must! 6. Defend those in prison. Through governmental pressure, if possible (MFK), or by letter writing campaign as the Jews do. 7. Secure the right to emigrate or to stay with rights in the place of their ancestors as guaranteed by international agreements. (See Appendix to “Christian Declaration on Human Rights”, WARC, 1977, pp. 157-187). Individual and collective rights must be emphasized! 8. Provide Christian literature! Presently this is one of the most needed and most difficult tasks! This is why the suggestion of CANAAC Administrative Committee is crucial! This the agenda! Our Agenda! May God help us to implement it. John Butosi Religious situation in Erdély Report to the Calvin Synod A nnual Meeting on May 20,1986
