Abstract

After 1945, the Catholic Church in Hungary was exposed to wide repression. The communist authorities broke off diplomatic relations with the Vatican, dissolved a number of Catholic associations, schools lead by the Church, and most of the orders. The church was forced to sign several agreements with the State (in 1950 and 1960), which resulted in a total dependence of the church on the state. The clergy were required to take an oath of allegiance to the state. In the 1960s Hungarian clergy took part in the Second Vatican Council and represented – with few exceptions – point of view of the communist state . In 1969, Hungary introduced the conciliar reform. Catholic church was very weak but arranged antistate actions (eg. activity of priest György Bulányi), the prison for disobedient clergy was widespread. Last cleric was released from prison in 1977.