“The belief that life on Earth is not the end of it all gives us courage and makes us realise that living with love for each other is more important than life itself,” Cardinal Péter Erdő, the head of the Hungarian Catholic Church, told MTI on Friday.
The cardinal said Christians had a duty to share the hope and serenity they drew from their faith with others, adding that Christians drew their faith and courage from God’s coming into the world.
“God didn’t just join us, but became a fetus, a child for our sake,”
Erdő said. He said there had also been epidemics and illness in Jesus’s time, and there were not as many ways to combat them as there are today.
Meanwhile, the cardinal said the lockdown had not discouraged believers to continue going to church, and had even resulted in more people attending masses in the capital. Erdo said he believed the increase in churchgoers could be down to the easing of the pandemic or the
impact of the International Eucharistic Congress held in Budapest this past September.
As regards the congress, the cardinal said the whole of Europe and the entire world had “watched with wonder our liberated gathering and the beautiful way in which we celebrated”.
“This liberated joy is what Pope Francis noticed after not having been able to meet with this many believers for the past two years because of the lockdowns,” Erdő said. “It’s no accident that the pope said he’d gladly return to Hungary.”
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Conservative right of right, when he joined us to study – decades past in Rome.
Peter – Experienced difficulties with – letting go of the pre Vatican 11 – Philosophies – and practices of the Holy Roman Catholic Church – and moving on, with the post Vatican 11 – that in 2021 – he still exhibits in his oral and written message(s).
Dressed in Decorous Litergical attire – this article uses, to communicate Peters message, is an example – that besides the depth of message – that appers missing – quite pensive or passive I found it, the photo-graph – captures Peter – that fits his character – somewhat back in time – a time in the Holy Roman Catholic Church pre Vatican 11 – that he would have felt a greater being & of comfort.
Pope Francis – “The Church needs to be Missionary”.
Pope Francis – “A Poorer Church – is a Richer Holier Church.”
Cardinals – and down the ladder – get out your offices from behind your desks – be Pastoral & Missionary.
Be seen, join in, share the “roots” of every day life of HUMANS – from “all stations in life” – what Happens in real life of the 21st century.
My orders founder – words of Blessed Wisdom – “We must Sow the seed, not Hoard it”.
Cardinal Konrad Krajewski – the Holy Fathers – Almoner – joyous to be in his company often, tells the story, when he was appointed the Popes Almoner.
Pope Francis after the formal congratulation “Roman style’ or Vatican City style – his Holiness said to Konrad ;
“I hear you are provided an office, but before I go on, you don’t really need one, because I wish & pray – that you are out amongst People, the Body of Christ and of his Church – a Pastoral driven Role – spreading the Word of God and doing Deeds”.
Missionary – Pastoral = Legacy to the Holy Roman Catholic Church of Hungary – Peter.
Whats it going to be – that the Body of the Church – its People – what are they going to see as your Legacy ???
Ministry – Work : this Peter & “others” may assist – ring some” bells & whistles” or turn some lights on.
In the being of our earthly lives – through our – Faith,Trust, Belief and Love of Christ Jesus – we become Instruements – of the Un-conditional Love – his – Peace Mercy and Foregiveness – that in abundance he has for ALL.
Pastoral – through Preaching the Word – being seen examples of instruements of Christ Jesus – Un-conditional LOVE – we by going out and amongst – out into the Lords Vineyard – meaning ALL people – the Body of the Church and by this Ministry – that is part of the words we recite and agree in our Ordination – it – Will Bear Fruit – and Grow the Church.
The Holy Roman Catholic Church – Universally – and Hungary needs change – this aged Institution – that has a Progressive Holy Father in Pope Francis – needs adaptation flexability and inovativeness – and ACCEPTANCE – we are in the 21st century.
Be seen – Bear witness to his Holy Name – get off – bums on seats – and out of offices – get out into and amongst – The Body of the Church – its People.
Sharings – of Love – that in the Message of Christmas – a child born in a stable – given sent to us – in LOVE – that through his Father’s Love for Us – forfilling his promise – that we would receive – through his Love – his Loved and adored Son – Christ Jesus – for ALL – to share in his Un-Conditional Love, that he prays we accept, that we “feed & grow” in the conduct of our – Lives.
“As I have Loved You, so you must Love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my Deciples, if you Love one another.”
“A new command I give you : Love one another as I have Loved You.”
St. Ignatius of Loyola – founder of the Jesuits :
“Love ought to show itself in Deeds, more than Words.”
St. Dominic – founder of the Domican Order :
“We must sow the seed, not hoard it.”
Saint Madelaine Sophie Barat – founder of the Religious Order -the Mothers of the Sacred Heart :
“Be humble – Be Simple – and Bring Joy to others”.
” She Loved People through there Faults – to the Core of their Best Selves”.
Emeritus Pope Benedict XV1:
“We must make the Tenderness of Gods Heart felt – especially by the Weakest and Neediest of our fellow Brothers & Sisters of Christ Jesus – and do not forget – that by spreading Divine Love – each one of us makes a Contribution – to Building – a more – Just and Supporting World”.
Holiness – is not about being Religious or looking Pious – Its about being – Selfless.
“Felicem Natale ad Omnes”
Latin for – Merry Christmas to ALL.
Interesting that Cardinal Peter Erdo, since 2003, title Archbishop of Esztergom – Budapest and Primate of Hungary – talks, that in this time we live, our Lives “engulfed” through this on-going Novel Virus – Omicron strain, that numbers of Hungarians have “returned” to the fold, and re-commenced practicing there Faith.
The question beckons – that does “Challenge” the Cardinal – that since 2003 – the year of his elevation – the continuous fall out or drop out of Baptized Holy Roman Catholics in Hungary – that represents some 43% of our population, this trend, of Hungarian Catholic’s – not attending nor practicing there Faith, has been dramatic.
2003 on – the year of the Cardinals appointment – it is recorded, that just 9% of Baptized Hungarian Catholic’s – attend Church.
The role and place it holds – throughout Hungary, the vast number of Holy Roman Catholic Churches – the intrical role they play – is that the Parish Church is a Community.
Cardinal Erdo – in the time of his Cardinalship 2003 on, to the arrival of this Noval Virus in Hungary in February 2020, has witnessed – over-looking – MASSIVE decline in numbers, throughout Hungary – of Catholic practicing there Faith – which has drastically impacted – on the Church – its position built on number of being a Community.
Cardinal Erdo – may be Right, that this Noval Virus, has re-kindled Faith, Trust, Belief – in number, that have undergone a process of self examination – bit of Soul searching, and returned to practice there Faith – that comforts and warms them in this difficult & challenging times we ALL live, and the Tenderness of his Love, that they have received, from Christ Jesus.
What if – we had not been challenged by this Novel Virus – would the decine trend in practicing of there Holy Roman Catholic Faith – church number of attendees in Hungary – the Shrinking of Communities – continued its DECLINE – in Hungary ???
Answer : Yes.
Cardinal Peter Erdo – includes in his comments – the Eucharistic International Conference held September 2021 – in Budapest – its Message, that has from this event, seen Catholic Baptized Hungarians – returning, to practice there Faith.
Prior to February 2020 – the direction being over seen by Cardinal Peter Erdo – was overall continuing to Shrink the Holy Roman Church in Hungary – who are the largest Land Owners of the Lands of Hungary.
2003 on – under Cardinal Peter Erdo – negatives far outweigh the positives – that have occured in the Holy Roman Catholic Church of Hungary – that has seen continual Decline in number of Practicing – Participating in there Faith – in there Church Communities – of those who are Baptized into the Holy Roman Catholic Church – Hungarians.
Cardinal Peter Erdo – may read Again, the principal reason – why Saint Pope John XX111 – saw a “need” and called for a Second Vatican Council ???
Saint Pope John XX111 – “Its time to open the windows and let in some fresh air and light”.
Cardinal Peter Erdo – is it time – after nearing 19 years, in your position, you considered becoming Emeritus ?
The 21st century, the changed World post February 2020 – the changes still drastically needed in the Universal Catholic Church- and in Hungary – “moulding & “fitting in” – with the way of life of the 21st century – what is BEST – for the Holy Roman Catholic Church of Hungary – and For YOU ???
It’s a younger – Man of God – position.
The staying on – that results indicate Decline in vast numbers – those Catholics of Hungary – practicing there Faith and Babies, held over the Baptisimal Fonts – being Baptized – into the Holy Roman Catholic Church, the signs of the future, that will be your Legacy – Cardinal Peter Erdo, to the Holy Roman Catholic Church of Hungary – may treat you – Without Recognition of Appreciation.
Pope Benedict XV1 – one of your Hero’s – reasons he gave for his Abdication – understandable, and the “caretaker”
role he played after the Long – Pontificate of Saint Pope John Paul 11 – the Church first – drove his decision to Abdicate.
Hungary – our Declining population number, the word again Decline – that sees more Deaths per year than baby’s being born – Concerning.
You have done your Duty – your Service – to our Heavenly Father and your Country – I say – respectfully Cardinal Peter Erdo – time to SERIOUSLY – consider – the title of Emeritus.