Zoltán Balog, the former human resources minister, was ordained as the Reformed Bishop of Dunamellék in Nagykőrös, in central Hungary, on Pentecost Monday. Balog was elected bishop of the Reformed Diocese of Dunamellek in November last year, but his ordination ceremony had to be postponed due to the coronavirus epidemic.
Addressing the ceremony, Parliamentary Speaker László Kövér greeted Balog, noting his career of service, and highlighting how had gone from being the Reformed priest of a village to a member of government, before returning to the service of the church. “Throughout his career, endurance was prevalent,” Kövér said. Cardinal Péter Erdő, Hungary’s Catholic leader, emphasised the need for Christians to stay united at a time when communities faced new challenges and opportunities. “We must work tirelessly towards keeping all Christians united, and cannot accept superficial compromises,” Erdő said. Lutheran Bishop Tamás Fabiny said that Balog had always been known for his solidarity and support for the vulnerable and those left to fend for themselves.
The ceremony was also attended by Tamás Sulyok, the president of the Constitutional Court, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén, Gergely Gulyás, the prime minister’s chief of staff, Katalin Novák, the family affairs minister, and Anikó Lévai, the wife of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
hungarymatters.hu
