Former minister Balog ordained Reformed Church bishop

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. “First as a pastor and then serving as a minister, he was a true and trusted believer in the notion that Jesus showed the way to follow.”

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.