Lazar, Balog meet local church leaders in S Hungary

(MTI) – Cabinet chief Janos Lazar and Zoltan Balog, the human resources minister, met local leaders of the largest churches in Mako, south Hungary, on Sunday.

The talks focused on the role of churches in society, and their contribution to building communities.

Lazar, who is also the parliamentary representative of the area, pointed to differences in the development of village and city in the region, saying that while cities such as Hodmezovasarhely or Mako had been in a position to use development opportunities to their advantage, people in small villages and towns face problems of unemployment and insufficient welfare services, as well as ageing and shrinking communities.

Balog voiced hope that the cooperation between state-run and religious institutions “will at last develop on basis of a consistent future vision”. As an example, he cited school developments to be implemented where they are needed, and a decision made “irrespective of whether it is a state school or one run by a church”.

Balog spoke highly of the role of the church in small villages, adding that in many communities it was “the last point of civilization”.

Photo: MTI – Gergely Zoltan

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters