HIS-Press-Service, 1979 (4. évfolyam, 13-15. szám)
1979-02-01 / 13. szám
KIS Press Service No.13, February 1978 Page 4 BACKGROUND -EVALUATION THE LETTER OF POPE JOHN PAUL II, which was read in all Hungary's churches and printed on page one of the Catholic weekly newspaper, "Clj Ember," was well received by the Hungarian people. This direct form of contact caused some surprise among the country's state officials and political leaders, and relief among Hungary's bishops. It is known that differences of opinion exist between the bishops of Poland and Hungary as to the stance bishops should take toward their country's government. This is also most likely the reason that Hungary's Conference of Bishops, due to the lack of an official invitation, was not represented at the jubilee festivities which were held in 1966 to celebrate 1,000 years of Christianity in Poland. Again only a short time ago, namely during the conclave which led to the election of Pope John Paul I, it was reported in the press that Cardinal Wys^ynski brought up the great difference between the political approaches of the Hungarian and Polish episcopacies. It was thus impossible for the Hungarian bishops not to wonder whether the new Pope, who had until then been bishop in socialistic Poland, would not orientate himself in his approach to Hungary on the basis of his experiences in Poland and the conditions existing there, despite the fact that they differ greatly from those in Hungary. This adds special significance to the fact, and excludes the possibility that it was simply chance, that the Pope's first message of this type was sent to the bishops of Hungary. Nor is it without reason that he refers to the traditional friendship, in fact brotherhood, that exists between Poland and Hungary, and assures the bishops that he will continue the Ostpolitik practiced by Pope Paul VI. In addition to its church political significance, the papal letter also contains a pastoral key-note for Hungary's bishops, namely that Hungary's Christian past constitutes an obligation for the country's Church. The Pope calls upon the bishops to uphold this obligation through doing their best to enable Hungary's Church in the future too to leave its imprint upon that country's intellectual life. This aim should be kept in mind when directing the pastoral activity of their priests; they should also enlist the apostolic cooperation of the religious orders and the Catholic faithful in achieving this goal.
