Folia Theologica et Canonica 5. 27/19 (2016)

SACRA THEOLOGIA - Szabolcs Anzelm Szuromi, O.Praem., Cardinal Mindszenty and the Hungarian bishops against the communist dictatorship (1947-1974)

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SZABOLCS ANZELM SZUROMI. O.PRAEM.

Parliament. The Decree contained excommunication as sanction for such activities. Concerning the act of March 24lh 1957 Mons. Casaroli indicates in his memoires that this made almost impossible for the Holy See arranging the governance of the Hungarian dioceses canonically acceptable.35 This canonical situation was very similar to the current “status quo” in the People’s Republic of China. Only after the decision of Pope Paul VI (1963-1978), declaring the Archbishop See of Esztergom vacant in 1973, could be made some little change in this field by the Holy See.36

After various consultations and with uncomfortable spirit. Card. Mindszenty left the Embassy of USA on September 28"' 1971 at 8: 30 AM.37 Blessed Pope Paul VI after his first letter (November T' 1973), wherein he asked the Hungarian Primate’s resignation, in order to make able the Esztergom Archbishop See active after more than 25 years, he wrote his official final letter on November 18lh 1973 which removed from office the heroic and unbreakable cardinal. The papal decision was promulgated on February 5'h 1974.38

Mons. Casaroli noticed in his memoire about Card. Mindszenty: “(...) since 1949 when the tragic trial called attention of the World to him (...) I have considered him with honest and deep respect (...). Very few people keep more admirable and affectionate memory on him than me.”39

35 Casaroli, A.. // martirio della pazienza, 123.

36 Casaroli, A., Il martirio della pazienza, 163.

37 Adriányi, O. Miért és hogyan hagyta el Mindszenty József a budapesti amerikai nagykövetséget, in Török, J. (ed.), Mindszenty József emlékezete (Studia Theologica Budapestinensia 13), Budapest 1995. 73-90, especially 73.

38 Casaroli, A., // martirio della pazienza, 160-161.

39 Casaroli, A., Il martirio della pazienza, 91, 163.