Agria 41. (Az Egri Múzeum Évkönyve - Annales Musei Agriensis, 2005)

Misóczki Lajos: A vallási türelem az észak-magyarországi vármegyék példái alapján II. Rákóczi Ferenc intézkedéseiben

An extremely devout Roman Catholic, Rákóczi led an army which was predominantly made up of Protestant soldiers. At the head of a nation consisting of both a wide range of social groupings and religious congregations, he initiated and led a war of independence which attempted to defuse the tensions existing within allied politics at the time. "He deliberately, consistently and matchlessly represented the necessary interdenominational nature of the national union. He didn't allow religion, whether Catholic or Protestant, to exceed the interests of the fatherland" wrote one of his 20th century advocates. In his state Rákóczi managed to guarantee religious equality. The uprising was unique in Europe for having been launched in God's name. This faith in God led to conflicts which were to last for nine years. The understanding and tolerance which were fundamental to Rákóczi's religious policies first become apparent in 1703 with the presentation of letters of protection and safe-keeping to the churches and religious communities. Previous to this, although all religions had been "respected", only the Roman Catholic, Calvinist and Lutheran denominations were actually considered "established religions". Rákóczi also helped in the moral, and indeed economic, rebirth of the churches' organisational structures, among them the organisation of the Calvinist congregation in Szolnok in 1703/1704, and the organisation of the Rózsahegy (now Ruzomberok, Slovakia) Calvinist Synod in 1707. He donated two bells to the Catholics of Gyöngyös. All churches also co-operated in his diplomatic activities. With him stood the Roman Catholic bishop of Eger and lord lieutenant István Telekessy, while Rákóczi had complete faith in Pál Szécsényi, Archbishop of Kalocsa, the royal representative at the peace negotiations. Domonkos Brenner, provost of Zips, approached the French court for help during the war of independence. The laws passed at the national assembly in Szécsény in 1705 satisfied the expectations of the Protestants. The confusion which arose among the Catholics when the Jesuits were sent into exile did not put an end to the friendship and trust that existed between them. The tolerant religious policies were strengthened by the army chaplains serving in the kuruc armies, many of whom actually took part in the armed conflict. Neither the military nor the diplomatic set backs that took place after 1707/1708, nor the worsening domestic economic and social situation, managed to put an end to Rákóczi's concerted policies of religious toleration. In fact it was precisely his religious policies that provided the force that kept the struggle for independence together right up to the very end in 1711. 195