HIS-Press-Service, 1980 (5. évfolyam, 16-18. szám)
1980-02-01 / 16. szám
HIS’Press Service No.16, February 1980 Page 12 III. Possibilities for the Development of Future Church - State Realtions Secretary of State Miklós mentioned that the relations between Church and State are regulated by the Constitution of the Peoples Republic of Hungary and by agreements reached between Church and State. The latter lay down the priciples and limitations which have gradually developed in Church-State relations. According to Miklós, the agreements reached in 1948 and 1950 show, "on the one hand, the result of the battle (which was waged by the Communists in their attempt to come into power) and, on the other, created a guarantee that between the Churches, which now no longer functioned as protectors of past social conditions, and the socialistic State there would develop a correct, loyal, and increasingly improved state of relations, and this in accordance with the guidelines called for by the development of the new social order." In addition to the Constitution and the agreements mentioned, there are also certain regulations having a determinative influence upon the mutual Church- State relations. Such a regulation, for example, is the one requiring previous approval of the State in the filling of important Church positions. The Constitution, the agreements, and the laws together constitute the basis for the "situation which has historically developed" between Church and State. In an assessment of their results, Secretary of State Miklós comes to the conclusion that "we can be satisfied with the results achieved up to now in the relations of the Churches to the social istic State. We realize of course that what we have developed together is in no way perfect or complete. We cannot stop with what has been achieved up to now." Despite the results already achieved, Miklós continued, the relationship between Church and State remains a dynamic one, since there are definitely realities which have not been properly taken into consideration by existing regulations. The Hungarian government is willing to negotiate on these matters. Life too sometimes brings about unexpected changes which the government is also willing to accept and examine. Should such an examination show that a genuine religious need is involved, this must not be suppressed through administrative measures. "Our national and international Church politics have by and large worked out well... Miklós observed. "Therefore we will not attempt in the future to change it in any way; we will instead continue to work at its further development." "It is thus valuable" - here Miklós creates a new perspective for the future - "if we direct our attention to the existing national and international tasks directly confronting us, and develop goals which ... may perhaps seem modest or even inadequate, but which nevertheless constitute a consistent step forwards."
