Bishop Szabolcs János Bogdán of Királyhágómellék has been inaugurated

The General Assembly of the Királyhágómellék Reformed Church District elected Szabolcs János Bogdán, pastor of Kraszna, on the 21st of October. He will serve as a bishop for the next six-year term. Lajos Bara, the principal of the Wesselényi Reformed College of Zilah, has been re-appointed to the office of the Lay President. The former bishop, István Csűry, led the district since 2009.

At Friday’s service, István Csűry preached from Daniel 12:12-14 saying, “We must turn to God for joy, and for perseverance along with that joy.” It is crucial for us not to brood over the bitter past, but to turn our attention to the future. From this perspective we can appreciate both our past and present. “We must know that no matter what the future may bring, we are in the hands of God, who cares for us in all things, protecting us at our highs and our lows,” remarked the retiring bishop.

After the sermon, Councillor Zsolt Farkas welcomed the participants. Lay President Lajos Bara then opened the general assembly with a few words regarding the inauguration. He said that taking up such duties is an exercise of one’s love for God. He also warned that this opportunity demands responsibility and accountability before the Lord for all our deeds as individuals.

Following the bishop-elect’s vow, Bishop Zoltán Balog of Dunamellék– president of the General Convent– gave an inaugural speech emphasising that the mission of the Hungarian Reformed Church begins and ends with the Word of God. The Church wishes to see the world bathed in the light of God’s Word, as the Word is the source of all meaningful exchange.

Bishop Balog wished for the new bishop to have "multifocal glasses", with which to see both near and far. Through these lenses, Balog hoped that János Bogdán would see God’s Word and that which surrounds him at the same time: from the last Reformed man in the smallest of villages, to the lost faithful, the motherland and the national leadership. Bishop Balog offered words of wisdom saying, “Have we the right to compare ourselves to the apostles? We have no such right, but it is our duty to act as they did."

Szabolcs János Bogdán's inaugural speech examined Romans 1:16; “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…,” Bogdán began. Continuing with his sermon, he said, “The message of the Word is still relevant today because the world is sick,” and he urged that “we as Christians must proclaim that there is a remedy: the gospel. And proclaim that we have a healer: Jesus Christ.” The bishop urged that we prepare for the mission entrusted to us; he encouraged us not to be ashamed of the gospel and lock it up in our churches, but to preach it wherever life blossoms.

The newly inaugurated bishop went on to say that “the gospel is the surplus our world lacks. It is not a speech that pleases our ears, but the living and acting Word of God.” He declared that wherever the gospel is spoken with the power of God’s Spirit, there will be flourishing and a renewal of life. However, this can only happen if what we preach reflects in our life choices.

Béla Kató, Bishop of the Transylvanian Reformed Church District, found it reassuring to see that someone is ready to take over the bishop’s duties. He believes it is no coincidence that the assembly was formed during Advent, as he observed that our church lives in a continuous Advent. “A time of hardship is coming for our people and our Church, where standing our ground will not be easy. It will only be possible if we believe that God carries us in the palm of his hand,” warned the church leader. Bishop Kató wished for ample faith, and assured the office-bearers of Királyhágómellék that they can count on the Hungarian Reformed Church, unified since 2009.

In addition, Radu Valer Rus, Vicar of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Nagyvárad (Oradea), delivered a message from Bishop Sofronie Drincec of Oradea. The message thanked István Csűry for his work, wished for successful cooperation between the denominations, and hoped for a blessed service for Bishop Szabolcs János Bogdán.

Valer Părău, a Greek Catholic Deacon of Zilah, spoke of his denomination's good relations with the Reformed people in their county.

Afterwards, Martina Wasserloos, President of the European Area of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, addressed the assembly. She spoke of the long-standing and fruitful relationships the organisation has cultivated with the churches of Eastern Europe and encouraged continued commitment to mutual learning and support. Lastly, she asked for God's blessing upon the assembly.

János Nagy, state secretary of the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office, also spoke at the service. He remarked that the peoples of the Carpathian Basin are fated to rely on one another, but thought that the Christmas of 1989 served as a reminder to all that sharing a common destiny may depend on our willingness to listen to the Word of God. János Nagy later stated that only the rights we fight for– whether they are related to language, ethnicity, or our humanity– can remain ours.

“Together we are strength, shattered we are weakness” – thus were the words of Alber Wass. Hunor Kelemen, deputy prime minister of Romania, said: “We live in an age that has forgotten traditional Christian values and proclaims that the individual should free himself from all ties, traditions, beliefs and community life. But this is akin to encouraging a tree to get rid of its roots. Man cannot be without his past, existence without roots is an illusion”.

Florinel Frunză, director of the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs in Bucharest, said that religious freedom, tolerance and mutual respect are prerequisites for both peaceful coexistence and for shaping a common future. According to the director, spiritual diversity is not a threat but an opportunity for enrichment of the country.