Communique

I.

1) “Member Churches (hereafter Part Churches) of the Hungarian Reformed Church live in synodal unity based on identical creed, teaching and traditions. They form an ecclesiastical and spiritual community in faith and love with all Hungarian-speaking Reformed churches as well as other native-speaking Reformed churches in the Carpathian Basin, and cherish brotherhood with the Reformed churches from all around the world.” (Chapter 1, § 1. (2) of the Constitution of the Hungarian Reformed Church)

“The General Convent is the common representative body of the Reformed churches in the Carpathian Basin.” (Chapter 8, § 20. (1) of the Constitution of the Hungarian Reformed Church)

The Presidium of the General Convent is composed of the duly elected office holders of the part churches, entitled to represent them. (see Chapter 8, § 20. (5) of the Constitution of the Hungarian Reformed Church)

By virtue of the agreement between the Government of Hungary and the Reformed Church in Hungary, signed on 4^th October 2017 and announced in the Government Decree 1821/2017 on 9^th November, the Hungarian Government considers the General Convent as its official partner.

2) Thus, the Hungarian speaking Reformed community in the Carpathian Basin is officially and exclusively represented by the aforementioned Churches; the Part Churches of the Hungarian Reformed Church as listed in the section I.3 of this Communique, in any inter-church and interfaith relationships, just like at the national and local governments, and in civil and international organisations.

These Part Churches are entitled to fulfil public services performed by reformed institutions and institutionalized ministries, and they are exclusively authorized to offer reformed religious education.

3) According to the 13th paragraph of the Constitution of the Hungarian Reformed ChurchPart Churches of the Hungarian Reformed Church are the followings:

- Croatia: Reformed Christian Calvinist Church in Croatia

- Canada: Union of the Hungarian Reformed Churches in Canada

- Hungary: Reformed Church in Hungary (Danubian Church District, Transdanubian Church District, Cistibiscan Church District, Transtibiscan Church District)

- Romania: Reformed Church in Romania (Church District of Transylvania, Church District of Királyhágómellék)

- Serbia: Reformed Christian Church in Serbia

- Slovakia: Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia

- Slovenia: Reformed Christian Church in Slovenia

- Ukraine: Reformed Church in Transcarpathia

- United States of America: Hungarian Reformed Church in America and Calvin Synod of the United Church of Christ (UCC)

II. 

1) It represents a violation of the right to the free exercise of religion of those participating in reformed religious education, if the religious education for reformed church members is provided by another religious or church community, without the permission of the affected Part Church of the Hungarian Reformed Church.

2) The Part Church of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Croatia is the Reformed Christian Calvinist Church in Croatia, its duly and legally elected office bearers and representatives are Bishop Péter Szenn and Lay President József Kel.

3) The Part Church of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Serbia is the Reformed Christian Church in Serbia, its duly and legally elected office bearers and representatives are Bishop Béla Halász and Lay President Károly Székely.

Adopted by the Presidium of the General Convent in Sződemeter on the 12^th November 2019.

Finalized on December 18^th