HIS-Press-Service, 1980 (5. évfolyam, 16-18. szám)
1980-02-01 / 16. szám
HIS Press Service No.16, February 1980 Page 7 vicar are filled by trusted persons friendly to the regime. The auxiliary bishops, who are approved by both the Holy See and the Hungarian State and whose purpose is that of aiding the diocesan bishop in the care of the diocese, have no special tasks for which they are permitted to assume responsibility and, due to this lack of function, are employed within the area of parish activities, - an example which makes quite clear that the so-called "cooperation" between Church and State is in this regard nothing more than a catchword since insofar as the State works together with its own trusted persons, it is basically working together with itself. II, Religious Freedom Secretary of State Miklós complained that in matters of religious freedom there existed some unclearness as to the concept itself: "There are those who equate the principle of religious freedom with the free activity of religious groups; others, appealing to the same (principle), lay claim to all kinds of social rights." Miklós stressed that in Hungary too freedom of religion and conscience are considered elementary human rights which are not only proclaimed, but also guaranteed, along with their social prerequisites. As for their concrete realization, it was Miklós1 opinion that "we do not understand freedom of religion only as freedom to take part in religious ceremonies..., (but also) the right of Churches to be involved with the youth, to give religious instruction in the schools, to offer a normal preparation for confirmation, and the right of the theological colleges to also offer correspondence courses. The Churches have also developed a lively press activity." "The Hungarian State respects the Churches' autonomy and enables them to carry out their activity - in addition to the regulations stipulated by State laws - in line with their own laws." The concept of autonomy, however, is not to be taken in the usual sense of the word. "The autonomy of the Churches too took on a different meaning as a result of the separation of Church and State, especially insofar as they accept the form of common understanding of freedom of conscience and the free exercise of religion as laid down in the constitution," i.e., also the freedom to distance oneself from religion. Secretary of State Miklós stated that two things can hinder freedom of religion in Hungary: "On the one hand, we must be aware of the fact that the opponents of socialism and progress attempt to use religious faith as a political means." On the other, "the Marxists, the socialists, must also keep in mind that ideological differences and antitheses can never be solved through means of administrative and political power." Secretary of State Miklós unequivocably distances himself from the use of administrative means when stating that "we in no way want to prove through all means and under all circumstances that only we can be right."
