CARDINAL MINDSZENTY

New Zealand Listener, Volume 20, Issue 509, 25 March 1949, Page 5

CARDINAL MINDSZENTY

Sir,-The theme of Professor Wood’s talk on the trial of Cardinal Mindszenty appears to be that people who oppose powerful thugs are likely to get hurt. He then proceeds carefully to consider whether jn fact the opposition was such that the thug should have taken it seriously. He draws an odd parallel with the action of democratic governments taking unusual powers in time of war against citizens who object on conscientious grounds. He solemnly points out that the non-Catholic religious authorities have so far obeyed the thug in the matter of education of children. Now, sir, as I understand it, a great part of

this question in Hungary arises from the Cardinal’s view (apart from his opposition to thuggery) that: 1. A Catholic parent has the right and duty to educate his children in the Catholic faith even if the State says otherwise. 2. If he delegates his right then the delegate or teaching authority stands in loco parentis (not in loco civitatis) to implement and protect this right. Not to state this issue plainly in the commentary seems to me like producing Hamlet and cutting entirely the part of the ghost because some of the audience don’t believe in spirits. Professor Wood can of course readily recall instances of the same conflict in every civilised and uncivilised country in the world and from the period of Nero. down to that of Calles and Hitler.

PATER

FAMILIAS

(Wellington).

Sir,-My compliments to the speaker in the "Mainly for Women" session frqgm 3YA on Friday morning, February 11, for his frank and refreshing viewpoint on the Mindszenty trial. During the past few weeks public opinion has beén subjected to the pressure of the arguments of two main lines of thought: first, that trial by a Communist court is, ipso facto, abominable, execrable, revolting to every human conscience, a comedy of Red justice, etc.; and, on the other hand, the allegation that the trial of an ecclesiastical dignitary for high treason and black market financial dealings is, in itself, the trial of the church represented by him. Well let us wait to see if those who were loudest in their condemnation of the conduct and conclusion of the trial in Budapest will be as quick in sympathy with the victims of another form of condemnation without trial-

excommunication.

E.

P.

(Wellington).