Magyar Egyház, 1968 (47. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1968-11-01 / 11. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 13 removal of the troops, and expressed concern and sympathy to the churches and people of Czechoslovakia. A number of reactions from East European ohurchet have been received since the publication of that statement. His Holiness Alexei, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, in a letter to Mr. M.M. Thomas, chairman of the WCC Central Committee, regretted the publication of the document because he doubted that sufficient reasons existed for the use of such “categorical” terms as “military intervention”. “As everyone knows”, wrote the Patriarch, “Czechoslovakia is a constituent part of the socialist fellowship. Czechoslovakia, the USSR, Bulgaria, Hungary, the German Democratic Republic and Poland are bound together by bilateral pacts of friendship, mutual assistance and co-operation both in ideological and practical issues, and they are all members of the organization of the Warsaw Pact, whose responsibility (as stated in the text of the agreements) is mutual defence of socialism and of the independence of these countries. It suffices to refer to the communiqué on the Soviet-Czechoslovakia negotiations in Moscow published on August 27, which was prior to your own statement”. The Patriarch states that the temporary entry of the five allied armies was necessary for the protection of the socialist structure of Czechoslovakia, to avoid serious bloodshed and possibly an international military conflict. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Estonia, in a lengthy letter, states that no military intervention in the internal affairs of Czechoslovakia has taken place and that the five allies followed a request for help from personalities in the Czech party and state. Dr. Hark, the deputy of Archbishop Tooming, underlines that the USSR has not objected to reforms and the new course in the CSR which serves the wellbeing of the Czech people. The letter concludes: “We must take care that true peace reigns in Europe and also in the CSR. This is not done with general phrases, dishonest words and a stimulation of national enmity between peoples, as can be inferred from the WCC statement of August 28”. The Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists in the USSR, in a letter to Mr. Thomas and Dr. Blake, raises objections about the use of the word intervention and states: “The troops of allied countries which temporarily entered the Czechoslovak territory will not interfere with the internal affairs of the CSR, and the Soviet-Czeeh negotiations are being fulfilled”. The letter, signed by President I. Ivanov, Vice-President S. Timchenko and I. Motorún, a member of the Presidium, ends: “We pray to the Lord to give us wisdom to continue Christian love for the Czechoslovak people, maintaining friendship according to the commandments of Christ, and praying that blessed life and prosperity of Czechoslovak people will be established. This we have to remember in our supplications constantly. With Christian care and brotherly love we ask the World Council of Churches to recall the words of Jesus: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ ”. The Romanian Patriarchate acknowledged receipt of the WCC statement and made it known to its government and the Orthodox faithful. It sent Dr. Blake a message issued to all Romanian churches saying: “Together with the whole nation, we express our solidarity with those who call for the re-establishment of the holy right of free development and for the independence of the Czech people”. Continuous; Reformation Read: 2 Kings 22 and 23 In the Book of 2 Kings, chapters 22 and 23, we read about the reforms under king Josiah of Judah. Before his reign, Manasseh and Amon, both kings of Judah, did evil in the sight of God, walked in their sinful ways, served and worshipped idols, and forsook the Lord and walked not in his way. So, when Josiah became the king, the land of Judah was full of idols and false priests. Only a few people remained faithful to the Lord and walked in the way of their fathers. He saw the great corruption and the urgent need for reform. Josiah decided to repair the temple. As they were working, the Book of the Covenant was found. The fact was brought to the attention of the King, and thereupon he called together all the priests, the elders, and the people of Judah and read the words of the Book of the Covenant. Furthermore, the temple was cleansed and the Book of the Law was put back to its proper and lawful place. The time before the Reformation can he compared to the time of Josiah. The church was corrupted and it needed to be reformed. The Word of God was neglected, it was not preached and the services included only ceremonies. The House of God was replaced by idols and statues. The sins of the people were forgiven by the Pope, if they were able to buy the “certificate of salvation.” The very root of the gospel was denied by this for, in the Bible, we read that we were saved by the grace of God through faith (Eph. 2:8). As in the history of Judah, Josiah was sent to reform; so in the history of the church, Luther was sent to reform. Luther proclaimed that the church must rediscover its message. With Calvin, he preached that we are saved by faith and not by works. They brought back the Bible into the church. Today, there is a great need for reformation. Many churches are busy with social and political issues. Today, the church must rediscover its message and ministry. The Bible must be preached and respcted as the Word of God. The church must be reformed, and it must always be in the process of being reformed. Barnabas Roczey IN RESPONSE TO AN APPEAL from the Austrian Ecumenical Council, Church World Service has sent five tons of winter clothing to help Czechoslovakian refugees in Austria face the coming winter. Many of them left everything they owned when they fled the Russian invasion.
