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Announcement of the Apostolic Nunciature to Hungary about the visit of Ferenc Gyurcsány Prime Minister in the Vatican 2004. december 23., csütörtök 17:08
  The diplomatic representation of the Holy See in Budapest, the Apostolic Nunciature to Hungary released an announcement in connection with the visit of the Hungarian Prime Minister in the Vatican. The communiqué was necessary as the mass media gave an account almost only of what the government delegation told the Holy Father and the Secretary of State of the Vatican.
In his speech to the Prime Minister the Holy Father mentioned Hungary’s EU-accession, by which a new period started in the country’s history. II John Paul emphasised the importance of bringing up the young Hungarian generation according to firm moral values. This is substantial also for the church in its religious and educational mission for the common good. That is why the string of agreements between Hungary and the Holy See is important. II John Paul hopes that the execution of the agreements will be characterised by the spirit of constructive collaboration between state and church.
After the audience Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Secretary of State of the Vatican received the Hungarian delegation.
The Prime Minister appreciated the role of the Catholic Church and other churches in Hungary’s social and cultural life. However, he underlined that the Church is too much involved in politics, citing as an example the referendum of the dual citizenship and the demonstration for church schools in front of the Ministry of Education.
In this respect Cardinal Sodano remarked that the Hungarian bishops were only good citizens when they expressed their anxieties about the common good. He added that the Holy See stands by them because they were only claiming their due, according to the agreement between church and state.
The Secretary of State then underlined the importance of dialogue, and expressed his astonishment that the Government does not respect the Agreement signed in 1997 by Gyula Horn, Prime Minister of Hungary at that time, and Cardinal Angelo Sodano. This agreement was ratified by the Hungarian Parliament and accepted by the President of the Republic as well. The Cardinal called upon the Hungarian Government to enter into a more intensive dialogue with the Holy See as well as the Hungarian Bishops’ Conference.
Finally, both sides declared that they agree in restarting the dialogue in questions of the relation between State and Church.
(Magyar Kurír, Hungarian Catholic News Agency, Budapest)
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