Magyar Egyház, 1994 (73. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)

1994 / 2. szám

I

MAGYAR EGYHÁZ

15. oldal

Council of Churches and the Conference of European Churches. Soon it became evident that a second building phase would be needed to cope with the increasing demand, including a plan for a Christian lay academy.

Menessy's untiring efforts found new ways in the field of social activities. An independent foundation through which the citizens of Brasov can support the centre was started. A building company, a bakery, retail shops, and agricultural societies not only provide much needed jobs but also help to maintain the centre's social program.

After long years of suffering and persecution the Home of Hope is a shining witness of the Reformed Christian community in Romania, contributing to a society struggling for reconstruction and renewal.

NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES IN THE WORLD

BILLY GRAHAM PRAISES KIM IL SUNG

LOUISVILLE - Billy Graham, the US evangelist, has mourned the death of the North Korean president Kim II Sung, describing him as a “forceful and charismatic” leader, Religious News Service reports. “I could understand why he was held in such high esteem by his fellow citizens,” Graham, who is one of the few Christian leaders to have met Kim II Sung, said in a statement issued after Kim’s death. Graham’s wife, Ruth, attended a high school in Pyongyang, now the North Korean capital, in the 1930s. Graham and his son, Ned, visited North Korea in 1992 and again in January this year. During these visits, Graham said, they had “extended private discussions” with Kim and later exchanged personal messages. (EPS)

MONASTIC BIRTH CONTROL

GENEVA-- The Dalai Lama has a solution to the world’s problem of overpopulation, according to Hinduism Today. During a talk in Berkeley, California, the spiritual leader said life was precious, and for that reason it was better not to practise birth control. But if there were too many people, he said, “then we must take measures for birth control. The nonviolent nature of birth control — I jokingly tell — is to have more monks, more nuns. (EPS)

THAI BISHOP CALLS IN VATICAN TO ADOPT BUDDHIST PRACTICE

BANGKOK-- A Roman Catholic bishop from Thailand has suggested that his church adopt the

custom of “temporary commitment” to monastic life which is popular among Thai Buddhists.

According to Asia Focus, published in Hong Kong, Bishop George Yod Phimphisan of Udon Thani, with the support of other Thai bishops, is to call on the October synod of Roman Catholic bishops in Rome, to consider allowing temporary religious vocation.

In Thai Buddhism, every male is expected to be temporarily ordained as a monk for some time in his life, usually for a period of three months. According to Phimphisan, this system of temporary commitment would give Roman Catholics a chance to “to study and pray” to deepen their faith and allow those considering a permanent commitment to experience religious life with no stigma if they change their mind. (EPS)

COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ASKS SUPPORT FOR PEACE TALKS FOR SUDAN

The civil war in Sudan drags on. The neighboring countries are confronted with large numbers of refugees, with border infractions by armed units, and with a growing influence of Islamitic extremism. These countries are therefore interested in a peaceful solution to the conflict. The Sudan Council of Churches and the New Sudan Council of Churches have placed all their hope in the regional consultation initiative of the Inter-Governmental Authority for the Control of Desertification and Drought under the auspice of President Moi of Kenya. (Press Service of the Churches of the Netherlands.)