Last night the Hungarian parliament passed the new law regarding churches.
At the last possible moment - at almost midnight - in a move which is seen by most observers as very tricky and shady, the proposed law, which I wrote about previously in this post, which included Calvary Chapel and many other churches, was modified right before it went to vote before the parliamentary assembly.
Whereas the original proposal, which was made public a few weeks ago, listed 3 categories for churches (a., b. and c.), these categories were now removed, and only the following groups were permitted to retain their church status: Roman Catholics, Hungarian Reformed Church, Lutheran Church, 3 Jewish denominations, 4 Orthodox denominations, Unitarian Church, Baptist Church and the Faith Church.
This means that not only Calvary Chapel, but the Methodist Church, Seventh Day Adventists, Evangelical Pentecostals, Islam, Buddhism and many other churches and religions will have to apply to receive recognition as a church, and each will have to be voted upon by the parliament, which must approve it with a 2/3 majority.
In my opinion - and I am not alone in this - this is a major step backwards in regard to religious freedom in Hungary, especially considering the part about the parliamentary representatives needing to approve a church with a 2/3 majority in order for them to be given the title of church.
As I understand it, this will not affect the status of Calvary Chapel in Hungary immediately, and we still don't know the details of exactly how this will affect us.
Most likely, we will apply for continued recognition as a church, and I believe that we will receive it. What is sure is that it will be a difficult road, navigating the political and legal issues involved.
Please join us in praying for Hungary and for the ministry of Calvary Chapel here.
Wow, well we know for sure the enemy never sleeps. The earth is the Lords and the fullness there in, we will continue to pray for this issue and for the Lord to have the victory whatever the outcome. Lord, strengthen Your church in Hungary, give Your people wisdom!
ReplyDeleteHm. Érdekes, hogy a Hitgyüli egyház, viszont a Görög Katolikusok NEM!! ?? Az ellenség dolgozik, de már úgyis legyőzetett.
ReplyDelete(Judit)
From the US we will be praying for Hungary
ReplyDeleteI think this is an issue of great concern. The standard method of persecuting Christians in the post-Communist world (see Central Asia for example) seems to be to restrict religious freedom to those churches that operated under communism. Those churches were usually heavily theologically comprimised under the old system and hostile to the Gospel. In Hungary the official protestant church seems to have exchanged compromise with communism for compromise with extreme nationalism. Hungarians are being told how wonderful their nation is and not being told to repent.
ReplyDeleteInteresting insight. Thanks for the comment.
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