Since end of 1944 in Hungary the influence of the communist party within the national front got deeper and, as a result, the People's Republic was established. MDP secretary general Rakósi pursued a strictly Stalinistic policy, which found an end only in1956. After the same year's Hungarian uproars the situation got better, but nevertheless also during "goulash communism" era the work of the church was hindered steadily. The long time asylum of Cardinal Primate Mindszenty in the U. S. embassy of Budapest may serve as an example. His Auxiliary Bishop Zoltan Lajos Meszlényi was murdered on March 4, 1951, at Kistárcsa; on July 3, 2009, Benedict XVI confirmed his martyrdom, and his beatification took place on October 31, 2009. In February, 1989, Hungary re-established a system of various political parties.
First Victim of Communism: Baronet Vilmos Apor, Bishop of Györ, was murdered on April 2, 1945, by Soviet soldiers.
The Primate: József Cardinal Mindszenty
During communist rule numerous dioceses could not be filled for a while, and there were several vacant sees:
Csanád: 1964 - 1975
Eger: 1956 - 1969, 1972 - 1974
Esztergom: 1974 - 1976
Györ: 1966 - 1976
Hajdúdorog for the Byzantine Rite: 1972 - 1975
Kalocsa: 1961 - 1964
Pannonhalma (Archabbey): 1969 - 1973
Pécs: 1961 - 1969
Székesféhérvár: 1968 - 1974
Szombathely: 1972 - 1975
Vác: 1967 - 1969
Veszprém: 1965 - 1975.
Archbishop József Ijjas (Kalocsa), Cardinal László Lékai (Esztergom) and Cardinal László Paskai (Kalocsa/Esztergom), Presidents of Hungarian Bishops' Conference 1969 - 1976, 1976 - 1986 resp. 1986 - 1990
Especially in the years 1964, 1969, 1972, 1974 and 1982 the Holy See after negotiations with the regime was able to appoint some new bishops or apostolic administrators with the rank of a titular bishop. That, however, free appointments were not possible, may be illustrated by the fate of bishops József Winkler and Gellért Belon, both appointed in 1959, but consecrated only in 1964 respective in 1982.
In difference to several other countries behind the iron curtain, clandestine consecrations - at least after the fall of stalinism - were not necessary for the church's survival; therefore their number is small indeed:
05.11.60: László Rózsavölgyi, Titular Bishop of Listra; by Mihály Endrey, Special Delegate of Esztergom Archdiocese
ca. 1970: probably Gyula Parádi, by Felix Maria Davídek (see Czechoslovakia), probably in Kraków
ca. 1970: probably József Rédei, by Gyula Parádi.
Legitimacy and consecration of Mgr Rózsavölgyi - one year after the state refused the consecration of Mgr Winkler and Mgr Belon - are of no question; both others are not recognized. After the fall down Cardinal Paskai denied their installation as auxiliary bishops of Esztergom. Why they were consecrated is still an open mystery, especially considering the number of various official bishops of those time. Perhaps they were designated to work abroad.
Appointed 1959, consecrated 1982: Auxiliary Bishop Gellért Belon of Pécs
The photos of this page were taken by the archives of Hofrat Dr. Manfred Kierein, Vienna, and of the author.
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