Magyar Egyház, 1996 (75. évfolyam, 1-2. szám)
1996 / 1. szám
12. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ MEETINGS OF AMERICAN AND HUNGARIAN MILITARY CHAPLAINS IN SOUTHERN HUNGARY. Representatives of American and Hungarian military chaplains got together recently in Kaposvár, Hungary, to talk about the problems of spiritual consolation of soldiers who are away from home for an extended period of time. During the lengthy discussions, the American chaplains reported on their observations of unforeseen psychological and other problems which confront the soldiers serving abroad. On the other hand, the American were very interested on how the Hungarian military chaplaincy did revive the service after decades of involuntary cessation. Shortly after the Americans peace-keeping forces arrived in Southern Hungary, discussions started between the Hungarian and American military leaders on the timely duties of military chaplain services. They planned several conferences on the subject. The first was held in Pecs, the second in Kaposvár, where the American Colonel, J. Moran, together with thirty other chaplains from different denominations greeted the Hungarian military chaplains in the American ecumenical chapel. The Hungarian military is taking part also in the work of the peace-keeping forces in Okucani, Croatia, where a catholic chaplain, Janos Kovács, Lieutenant Colonel, is serving until the summer when Captain Janos Jakab, a Protestant chaplain, will take over his duties. Captain Janos Jakab volunteered to the Hungarian peace-keeping forces and took part in the discussions at the conference, held in Kaposvár. It could happen that the soldiers, serving in Okucani, could hardly cope with the tensions and it will be the chaplain’s duty to calm and encourage them, said Janos Jakab. ON ROMANIAN-HUNGARIAN HISTORICAL RECONCILIATION Bishop Tokes’s speech in Temesvár (Timisoara, Romania) on the anniversary of the revolution. On the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the events in Temesvár of 1989, which determined the changes in Romania, a festive commemoration was held in the reformed church of Temesvár. On this occasion the hero of Temesvár, Dr. László Tokes, bishop, held a speech entitled “On Romanian-Hungarian historical reconciliation”. With words containing fears for the spirit of Temesvár, he told, our “old new” ruling circles “had stolen the revolution”. In the spirit of centuries-old Transylvanian tolerance, as an ecclesiastic and political personality, he described the conscious hindering measures which the ruling power puts into the way of democracy and reconciliation. Mentioning as examples the European models, such as the Swedish in Finland, the Germans in Italy, the Danes in Germany, the French in Belgium, the Bases in Spain, and Switzerland’s four languages, the bishop laid down: “We are aware of the fact that in their common homeland, Rumanians and Hungarians cannot prosper without, or just against, or separately from one another. As a community of citizens of Romania with full rights, our community of Hungarian nationality endeavors at, and suggests to the majority Romanian nation - i.e., the Hungarian Democratic Federation to the Romanian Government, a political bargain, which, beside preserving the territorial integrity of the country, would guarantee equal rights of our Hungarian nationality with the Romanian nation, furthermore, the nationality’s individual and common rights, and, finally, the maintaining of its national identity. This bargain seems to be the only way to go towards Romanian- Hungarian historical reconciliation, the security, stability and peace of Romania and Hungary”. AGAINST THE IRRESPECTFUL USE OF GOD’S NAME. Against the irrespectful use of God’s name, for the sake of good taste, the Synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary raised its voice. In the spreading of this phenomenon, the usage of the radio, television, films and theaters plays a harmful role. Also, in the translations of works in foreign languages, the unnecessary and unworthy mentioning of God’s name often occurs. The Synod turns with a resolution to the competent forums to avoid the unworthy, unneeded and tasteless use of the name of God. It does so in the name of the vast majority of people who pronounce and write down God’s name with proper respect and devotion.
