AUGUST 20 COMMEMORATIONS OF ST.STEPHEN’S FOUNDING THE STATE

Spectacular festivity in front of the Parliament. Millenary statue inaugurated at Fadd founded one thousand years ago. ’We all see the signs of hope in the fact that since the change of regime we live freer as Hungarian citizens and as believers’, said Péter Erdő Cardinal-Primate celebrating a mass in front of St.Stephen’s Cathedral before the traditonal procession of the Holy Right Hand of St. Stephen.

The Cardinal-Primate spoke about the sins of the secular society, he expressed his concern over the less and less childbirths and over the ever aging population, and the crisis of marriage and the family. He recalled the words of the Gospel saying that those who heed to Jesus will build their house on rock. In the parliament building President Mádl, in the presence of Premier Medgyessy, handed over high state decorations yesterday afternoon.

Translated by Péter Szentmihályi Szabó/i>