Folia Theologica et Canonica 10. 32/24 (2021)
Recensions
RECENSIONS 305 Erdő, R, Beszélgetések az imádságról és a szentségekről [Conversations on Prayer and the Sacraments], Szent István Társulat, Budapest 2021, pp. 239 Card. Péter Erdő has already enriched not only the study of canon law, but also that literature which is important for the study of ecclesiology, sacramental theology and the Early Christianity. In these works, in addition to the presentation of scholarly results and sources, we can see the examination of the most up-to-date professional questions and the theologically sensitive answers to them, which do not only provide the reader with additional support for canon law or theology, but also fundamentally relate to the everyday situation of Christ-believers, while at the same time they dramatically experience the rejection of classical values in the society around us. The Author gives well balanced, solid answers to them, based on our Catholic faith. Moreover, even as we read these scholarly works, we are repeatedly confronted with the caring guidance of a pastor who is responsible and concerned for his flock, and who formulates all this from the perspective of the universal Church, with a knowledge of and a keen awareness of the conditions in Hungary. However, for more than a decade and a half now, Péter Erdő has also placed great emphasis on bringing the Church's doctrine, teaching, discipline, administration of sacraments and sacramentals closer and more directly to a broad range of believers in Christ in Hungary, in a written form that is understandable to the readers. This, of course, goes far beyond the pastoral preaching activity which he has been carrying out with great care and preparation since he began his pastoral leadership of the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest (2003), complementing it with his speeches during the series of city missions and catechesis. I would like to refer here not only on the Pastoral Letter on the Eucharist (Sacrifice, Meeting and the Sacramental Presence: Budapest, September 16th 2005), but also to those two volumes which are the spiritual and pastoral precursors of the present volume. These are the Diary Notes in the Year of St. Paul (Budapest 2009), which an edited form of his thoughts explained in the Hungarian Catholic Radio every week, giving to the listeners an example of the importance of responsible life in the Church. Then, another Diary Notes in the Year of the Priesthood (Budapest 2010), which collected his thoughts, also published on Hungarian Catholic Radio, on a similar regular basis, in the form of a volume, from the ministerial priesthood, through the life and thoughts of the Africa Synod, priestly role models, to the world of church feasts, but also highlighted the importance and experience of the canonical - or diocesan - visitation. In this series is the first volume of his reflections and thoughts on fundamental questions of the Catholic faith, published in written form and broadcast on Radio Maria, dedicated to prayer and the sacraments. These conversations
