Fraternity-Testvériség, 1978 (56. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)

1978-10-01 / 4. szám

Right Reverend Doctor Bishop

ZOLTÁN BÉKY

Our entire American Hungarian community was deeply shocked by the sad news that the Rt. Rev. Bishop Dr. Zoltán Béky died on Sunday, November 26, 1978. The news-media described him as a “prominent church leader,” “first Hungarian Bishop in America,” “leader of the American-Hungarian community.” Bishop Béky was the President of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America from 1965 to March 31, 1977. Between 1956 and 1964 he was the vice-president of our Federation. Previously he served as branch manager, delegate to many conventions, and director from 1952 to 1956.

Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers are with the bereaved family. Bishop Béky is survived by his loving widow, Margaret Zombory Béky, two daughters Mrs. Walter Parker (Mackó) and Mrs. Hugh Lynch (Bébi), six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, a sister in Hungary and his two sons-in-law. A memorial service was held on November 29 in Washington, D.C. The funeral service was held on November 3-Oth in the Hungarian Reformed Church, Trenton, New Jersey. At the Memorial Service in Washington the memorial meditations were said by the Rev. Dr. Lowell Russell Ditzen, Director Emeritus of the National Presbyterian Center in English and by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Szabó, President Emeritus of Calvin Synod in Hungarian. The eulogy was offered by the Rev. Dr. Aladar Komjáthy, pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church, Montreal Canada. Professor Dr. Tibor Cliikes led the congregation in prayer. Farewell remarks were made by the Rt. Rev. Arpad George, President of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America; Very Rev. Dr. László Irányi, 0. Sch. Provincial of the Piarist Fathers in tlie United States as the Associate President of the American Hungarian Federation; John Taba, President of the Washington Chapters of the American Hungarian Federation and the Transylvania World Federation. At the Funeral Service held in Trenton 12 ministers and three laymen officiated. The Hungarian sermon was said by the Rt. Rev. Louis Nagy and the English by Bishop Dezső Abraham, one of the Vice-presidents of the HRFA. The presence of 30 Protestant ministers and 8 catholic priests made the funeral service an ecumenical event. The HRFA was represented by its National Officers and its several directors, all advisory members and the New Jersey area, district, section and branch managers. The President of the HRFA presented his farewell remarks in Hungarian.

“Hymn of the Galley Slaves” sung by the Hungarian Reformed Ministers.

Bishop Béky was born in 1903 in the town of llernádszentandrás, county of Abauj, Hungary. After completing his studies at the Sárospatak College and Seminary in Hungary, he received a scholarship from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 1927. He continued his theological studies as a graduate student in New Brunswick, New Jersey and in the Divinity School of Philadelphia, Pa. He became the pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church, Trenton, New Jersey in 1928. He served the congregation with great distinction for thirty-seven years. During his ministry in Trenton, the Hungarian Reformed School building was built in 1930. He was a well-known and beloved leader not only of the Hungarian community in Trenton, but well known and highly respected by the entire city and the state of New Jersey.

Between 1938 and 1954 he served as the dean of the Eastern Classis, between 1954 and 1958 as the archdean of the Free Magyar Reformed Church. In February, 1958 he was elected the first Bishop of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America. During bis tenure Bishop Béky led his denomination into the world-wide fellowship of the World Council of Churches and the Presbyterian World Alliance. He was a delegate to many important ecumenical and international church assemblies: New Delhi, India in 1961; Frankfurt, Germany in 1964; and Nairobi, Kenya in 1975.

During the past decades the Fraternity reported his many activities and contributions in various fields. Our current issue was ready for print when we received the sad news of his sudden and unexpected death.

As we walk in the valley of the shadow of death may we give thanks to God for his dedicated leadership and love for our American-Hungarian Reformed community. May Almighty God comfort his beloved ones. (A.G.-Dr. A. Komjáthy)

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