Following the death of former bishop Dr. Károly Tóth, the Reformed Church in Hungary has received an outpouring of letters expressing condolence and appreciation for his life. Among them were messages from international ecumenical organizations, service to which was such an important aspect of Dr.Tóth’s work, and individuals that he had made connections with during his life.

 Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, conveyed:

“Having grown up during World War II, Bishop Tóth spent most of his life and ministry within the post-war context of East-West conflict. He dedicated himself to healing divisions among peoples and seeking peace through open dialogue. Risking controversy and criticism on every side, he was active in the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs and also served as a prominent leader in the Prague-based International Peace Conference.”

Konrad Raiser, former general secretary of the World Council of Churches, who worked with the bishop for nearly forty years, expressed:

“Bishop Tóth was one of the most outstanding ecumenical leaders in his own country and beyond defending the ecumenical cause even under adverse conditions. He will be remembered with by many friends and colleagues throughout the world for his deep personal commitment, his pastoral concern and his continuous effort to build bridges of dialogue and understanding where the political conditions tended to separate the churches in East and West. He leaves a rich legacy which will inspire us for years to come.”

Additional letters were received from Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, Guy Liagre, general secretary of the Conference of European Churches, and Christina Raul, widow of former president of Germany, Johannes Raul.

You can read a press release on Bishop Tóth’s death from the WCC here.