General confidence in the “European” future with some concerns about questions involving the ethical sphere: such is the basic attitude of the Hungarian Church to EU membership. The Hungarian bishops are currently preparing a pastoral letter on Europe, that will soon be published: “We are conscious that the months ahead represent a very important turning point in our country’s history, and that the Church too has therefore a duty to express herself more widely on these questions”. So says Msgr. András Veres, auxiliary bishop of Eger and member of COMECE (Commission of the episcopates of the European Community). In Hungary, at the economic and legislative level, “everything is ready for EU membership explains Bishop Veres . According to the opinion polls, 70% of the population is favourable, but the fact is that over 60% have no reliable information on what entering Europe really means. Many people don’t know what’s in store, perhaps they are too enthusiastic and won’t obtain everything they hope for”. Bishop Veres explains that there’s no fear of the West, “because Hungary has, in its life styles, already become a Western country, even though wages and salaries are still very low. There is, however, a small minority that considers impending EU membership with some detachment and wisdom, because they know that there won’t be any great changes, but that on the contrary there’s a risk of not always salutary moral influences arriving. For example, when we hear people in the rest of Europe speaking of homosexual unions, of euthanasia and so on, we’re far from happy in our minds…”. In the view of bishop Veres, “economically the small countries can no longer live alone. I am worried about how we can maintain the values of our country and our Christian values. Despite that I am full of confidence because it’s inconceivable to think of a future outside the Union”. In Hungary, out of a population of approximately 10 million, 75% belong to the Christian Churches: 5,100,000 are Catholics of Latin rite, 280,000 of Byzantine (or Greek-Catholic) rite, 1,300,000 Calvinists and 300,000 Lutherans. There are 12 Latin-rite dioceses, with some 2000 priests.
