I always wonder when I hear that sort of thing why Cardinal Mindszenty has been so utterly forgotten. After years of refuge in the American Embassy in Hungary, he found himself an unwanted guest. He was in the way of Nixon’s outreach to the East as well, of course, as the baleful Ostpolitik of Paul VI’s Vatican. 

Obviously, Archbishop Lefebvre was aware of this story. I have no doubt that he was very aware of other stories about the workings of the Vatican. It has always seemed to me necessary to understand this context if one is to understand Lefebvre’s decision not to trust the promises of the Vatican.

Eventually he told the Pope that reluctantly he would leave the Embassy and leave Hungary (Cardinal Stepinac had privately sent him word that he must not let himself fall into the hands of the Communist authorities. Stepinac was under house arrest in his sister’s house, under very grim restrictive conditions which had ruined life for his family). But he made it clear to the Pope several times that for the good of the Church in Hungary he had to remain Archbishop of Esztergom and primate of Hungary. 

Mindszenty left Hungary and first went to Rome. Paul VI welcomed him effusively, hung his own pectoral cross around Mindszenty’s neck, put a large Vatican apartment at his disposal, had him concelebrate at his right hand at the opening Mass of the Synod of Bishops and invited all present to welcome him. 

Cdl. Mindszenty and Pope Paul VI

Eventually Mindszenty decided upon residence in a seminary in Austria, as near to Hungary as he could get. Before leaving he concelebrated a final Mass with the Pope and the Hungarian priests and seminarians in Rome. Pail VI said to him privately, “You are and remain Archbishop of Esztergom and primate of Hungary. Continue working, and if you have difficulties always turn trustfully to us!”  A Hungarian prelate was asked by the Pope to reiterate this promise to him: “The Cardinal will always remain Archbishop of Esztergom and primate of Hungary.” 

Related from RTV — United Socialist States of America: Cardinal Mindszenty’s Warning

This was in 1971. By the turn of 1973 Mindszenty was holding a Letter from the Pope declaring the see of Esztergom vacant. And soon afterwards Mindszenty was obliged to issue a public correction of press stories that he had voluntarily resigned. All of this story can be found in the Memoirs of Cardinal Mindszenty (Macmillan, 1974, page 237ff).  The last line of the book: “This is the path I traveled to the end, and this is how I arrived at complete and total exile.”

Obviously, Archbishop Lefebvre was aware of this story. I have no doubt that he was very aware of other stories about the workings of the Vatican. It has always seemed to me necessary to understand this context if one is to understand Lefebvre’s decision not to trust the promises of the Vatican. Today, of course, any sensible person can see that his judgment is vindicated. 

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