After the change of power. The Faculty of Reformed Theology in Cluj and the Second Vienna Award Cover Image

Impériumváltás után. A kolozsvári Református Theologiai Fakultás és a második bécsi döntés
After the change of power. The Faculty of Reformed Theology in Cluj and the Second Vienna Award

Author(s): István Biró
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, History of Church(es), Recent History (1900 till today), Higher Education , History of Education
Published by: Erdélyi Református Egyházkerület
Keywords: church history; church and state; Faculty of Theology in Cluj/Kolozsvár; Second Vienna Award; power change;

Summary/Abstract: In our study, we examined a significant change of administration and power: what was the impact of the Second Vienna Award of 30 August 1940 on the Faculty of Theology of the Transylvanian Reformed Church in Cluj/Kolozsvár? This historical turn of events was not only a cause for joy, but also a major change and challenge for theological education. We were able to gain insight into the challenges the faculty and its leadership faced in the new situation and the solutions they sought to address them. After the second Vienna Award, the integration of the faculty into the ecclesiastical higher education of the Hungarian state was one of the primary tasks. The academic situation of the students also had to be sorted out, and the Faculty had to face a significant reduction in its staff and the financial crisis. These influences changed the internal and external life of the faculty; consequently, we see that social, administrative and political changes had a particular impact on the functioning of the institute and on the training of ministers. The writings of the theological teachers in ecclesiastical publications have provided a basis for understanding the processes of power change in Transylvania in their ecclesiastical context. They helped to develop a correct vision and to identify the perceived and expected consequences of the decision. Our study also shows that during this period, ecclesiastical and public activities were deeply intertwined.

  • Issue Year: 114/2021
  • Issue No: 6
  • Page Range: 687-708
  • Page Count: 22
  • Language: Hungarian