Sárospataki Füzetek 14. (2010)
2010 / 4. szám - TANULMÁNYOK - Csohány János: A magyarországi protestáns pátensharc záró szakasza
CSOHÁNY JÁNOS Abstract The Final phase of the Protestant patent Controversy in Hungary On 1 September 1859, the Habsburg imperial authority that had suspended the Hungarian constitution issued the “Protestant Patent” for the Calvinist and Lutheran churches in Hungary. The promulgation of the Patent set off serious conflicts both within the Lutheran church, and between the government and those Calvinist and Lutheran church circles that did not wish to obey the Patent. All this created an internal political crisis that outgrew the inner spheres of both Protestant churches and developed into national resistance. The Patent retained its double character all along being a church and political issue at the same time. On the one hand, it was an attempt on behalf of the government to mutilate the religious liberty of two churches that tried to protect their own old autonomous rights. On the other hand, it became a political matter, since a monarchic decree with legal force and indisputable in intent tried to achieve a political aim by drawing the two churches in question under governmental control. 52 SÁROSPATAKI FÜZETEK 2010/4
