Statement of the Presidium of the Transylvanian Reformed Church District regarding the decision of High Court of Ploiesti on 26 November 2014

Reformed Church in Romania Fears Potential Precedent in Re-nationalization of Church Property

At an extraordinary Assembly of the Transylvanian Reformed Church District on 29 November, convened in Cluj following a heavily criticized High Court ruling on the re-nationalization of the Székely Mikó High School, the district’s Bishop, Béla Kató, even offered his resignation, which was unanimously rejected by the Assembly members.

Heavy Protests against Re-nationalization of Church Property in Romania

After the High Court of Ploiesti announced its ruling on 26 November 2014 about the legal status of the property of the Székely Mikó High School, and restored the building to the local government of the city, the Transylvanian Reformed Church District, lawful owner of the property, launched a wave of protest.

Depart Orthodox, Return Reformed

A book of Reformed doctrines accidentally caught in the hands of Mihai Androne completely changed his life. We spoke with the professor from the Theological Academy of Cluj-Napoca about the jubilee for the 450th anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism and what Protestantism means for him.

Over the Border: Interest in Unity

Although many people blame communism, and for good reason, we experience godlessness today as well, and our problems stem from this – István Csűry, bishop of the Királyhágómellék Reformed Church District. Among many other things, we spoke with Csűry and Béla Kató, bishop of the Transylvanian Reformed Church District, about why Hungarians need Mohács and how ecumenism comes to fruition in Transylvania.  

Updated: Battle Over Church-Owned Property Still Ongoing in Romania

The Transylvanian Reformed Church District's battle with the Romanian government concerning the re-naturalization of church-owned property will come to a head 21 January when the court will reconvene for the next court session. It will likely be the final turning point in the prolonged legal battle. Bishop Béla Kató released the following statement on 18 January concerning the case:   "We look at the confiscation of our rightful property under the communist tyranny as historical injustice, and now we must suffer the fear and pain of loss again. We recognize with bitter displeasure that the Romanian administration of justice and current political powers will polish their worn prestige by once more taking away – based on half-truths and false testimonies – what was already lawfully returned and dragging through the mire the names of those who simply performed their duties in this matter."

Hungarians in Transylvania Appeal for Autonomy

On 26 October, the so-called Szekler National Council released a statement outlining its desire for self-government as an autonomous territory following examples established in other parts of Europe. Szeklerland is an area in eastern Transylvania, Romania, with a majority population of ethnic Hungarians. The last census in 2002 showed Szeklerland as a historical region of about 13,000 sq/km with a population of 809,000, of whom 612,043 were Szekler-Hungarians.