Hungarian Church Press, 1949 (1. évfolyam, 4-13. szám)

1949-07-26 / 9. szám

Ho 9#

Ihat is how in Hungary that paradox situation developed, that loaders of the Hungarian Lutheran Church, at the expense and damage of the Church fostered a Catholic church policy,

With a hostile opposition ^towards the present regime, expecting its fall even at the c'ost of a new wo rid-war. And there I had to say, that bishop Ordasa played a considerable part in the development of that cdiurch policy that meant suicide.

It was his standpoint that fortified the positions of those who ought to have left. He was expected to strengthen Reformed priesthood, and bring' about tho revival of the Church.Instead, he invigorated reaction in the church and directly or indirectly launched that churchpolicy, which considered Mindshonty - even if not admitted - its spiritual leader and thus inciting tension with the state, jeopardising the situation of the Church, reckoned with a turning of tilings moreover with a new world war.

A proper Lutheran church policy, leaning on the Gospel and on sound mind, so much' emphasised bv Luther, must take a definite stand against the policy of Catholic hegemony and gravamens, This all the more as unsurmountable differences already at the very root of theological and dogmatic visions stand between us. But not merely here in Hungary! I believe and hope that tho leaders of all Protestant Churches will soon realise, that everybody combs into contradiction with his Lord and himself, with his most sacred conviction who for the sake of whatever interest or tactics, comes upon the Catholic leading string. And this separation is the first step towards Protestant unity, this is the real Oecumene.I

Just therefore it is a deafcSsTC proof for the tnith of our church policy, that Protestant unity became intensified Elmulta-neonsly with our separation from Catholicism. It is hot merely the Reformed Conventus, bishop Berecsky and his collaborates that nold the same principles, but also our Baptist, Methodist and brothers of the Free Churches. It deeply impressed the men of the World Council of Churches that the Lutheran Church does not merely uaot sister churches in principles and theory, but that this unity is already yielding fruits as for instance the Bible Council formed just recently.

It is our experience which through practice became our conviction, that the new Hungarian government does not prevent, but permits, moreover supports our work. Our churches all open, our services free, Bible classes full of life, enthusiastic missionary activities, revival meetings throughout the country. Our church magazines, our tracts, our radioservices made a particularly deep impression. The mighty material support the ''kongrua*', maintenance of the church, the covering of personal and other expenses, running to an-3-