Vatican Secretary of State lauds Cardinal Mindszenty

May 12, 2015

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, celebrated Mass on May 7 in honor of the Servant of God József Mindszenty (1892-1975).

The year 2015 is the 100th anniversary of the Hungarian cardinal’s priestly ordination, the 70th anniversary of his appointment as the nation’s primate, and the 30th anniversary of his death.

Imprisoned by the Hungarian Communist regime in 1948, the prelate was freed during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and took refuge in the US embassy during the subsequent Soviet invasion. In 1971, he left the embassy at Blessed Paul VI’s request, and subsequently resigned his see in 1973.

“Mindszenty remained throughout his life a pastor who felt a strong responsibility towards those who were entrusted to him,” Cardinal Parolin preached at the cardinal’s titular church in Rome.

Cardinal Mindszenty knew the “great danger of Communism and sought to strengthen his people by example,” Cardinal Parolin continued. “Seeing the despair of the inhabitants of the country and the increasing pressure from the regime, he announced a pastoral program for the new evangelization of Hungary. He also encouraged constant prayer, based on the values of love of God and neighbor, promoting devotion to Mary.”

 

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Further information:

• Coscienza di un popolo (L’Osservatore Romano, p. 6)
• The Life and "Crimes" of Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty (Catholic Culture)