HIS-Press-Service, 1986 (9. évfolyam, 29. szám)
1986-02-01 / 29. szám
HIS Press Service No.29, February 1986 Page 6 however to be attributed to átül another circumstance: the Catholic Church has in the past years in an increasing measure espoused the cause of the country's needy; next to other social activities it interests itself on behalf of the mentally or physically handicapped children and cares for the elderly and infirm. This follows from the words of State Secretary Imre Miklós, who in March, 1985 declared: "Considering the importance both socially and in terms of Church policy of the social activity of the Catholic Church, we have given our consent to the founding of a new women's order in the service of the care of the sick, the members of which may perform their service in the social convalescent homes cared for by the Church and in the homes for handicapped children." The fact that within the framework of the Patriotic People's Front an arrangement was made that provides for the insertion of the Church in the care of families, the young, and the elderly points in the same direction. For the members of the new women's order this realm would thus also be a field of activity in the service of the Church and of society. Already in the Winter of 1985 the Hungarian Bishops' Conference spoke with a view to the founding of a new women's order of a long-cherished intent; negotiations in this regard were then already in process. Since then, this topic was dealt with ever again on the occasion of the meetings of the Bishops' Conference, and even in interviews it found mention now and again on the part of the bishops. Thus, for example, Cardinal Lékai declared in April, 1984 to Kathpress (Press Service, Vienna) that negotiations for the foundig of a new women's community were being carried out, which was to have the character of a secular institute. The members of the new community were--in Lékai's words--to be employed in social service. At this time the Church would need some 200 such persons. The negotiations presently taking place are concentrating on the following clusters of topics: 1. The prospective religious community should be a new Hungarian foundation under diocesan jurisdiction and should belong neither to a formerly existing foundation that has lost its permission to operate nor to another institution that has its headquarters abroad. 2. The canonical form of the new community is still disputed. A definitive decision can only be made after the establishment of its duties and goals. Under discussion is the form of the traditional "order" , the members of which would take spiritual vows and commit themselves to community life, as well as the form of an "apostolic community" and that of a "secular institute". 3. Providing for Church convalescent homes, social institutions, retreat house, as well as branches of pastoral ministry, i.e., practically all realms of Church life are being considered as spheres of activity.
