A Catholic bishop on Friday invited the ruling Socialist Party’s spokesman to a “cordial dialogue” to clarify what he had said at an election rally of the opposition Fidesz party last week.
Earlier this week Istvan Nyako called on Laszlo Kiss-Rigo, Bishop of Szeged-Csanad (SE), to apologise for what he called “campaigning for Fidesz and against the Socialists” in nearby Hodmezovasarhely last Friday.
Nyako said that “no one driven by ulterior political motives should expose left-wing voters to spiritual blackmail.”
In response, Kiss-Rigo told a press conference that bishops have the freedom to express their political opinions.
“Of course, it is unfortunate for a church leader to speak in a way that could divide the community. In an ideal democracy where all parties promote the public good and have credibility, one may support any of them, according to their taste,” Kiss-Rigo said.
Does the church receive money from the state? If so, they can have no political opinions, or they can give up their state money and any tax-free status.
It is not right to forcibly take money from people and give it to persons who express opinions not necessarily those of the extorted taxpayers.