Instrumentum egy vitához. Fogarasy Mihály könyve az erdélyi püspökök kormányszéki tanácsosságáról
Bischof Mihály Fogarasy und sein Werk „Über den Siebenbürger Bischof aus bürgerlicher Sicht“

Summary/Abstract: The following paper deals with the book on the political status of Transylvanian bishops written by Mihály Fogarasy issued in 1837, the year of a great political debate on this topic in the Parliament of Grand Duchy of Transylvania. During the 18th century and the first half of 19th century, Transylvanian bishops held a very important position in the government of the country, which was a part of Habsburgic Empire at that time. They were a kind of vice prime ministers. But protestant orders considered their status as being illegal and discriminatory, since Transylvanian laws guaranteed equal religious and political liberty for all politically suitable agents, members of the four accepted denominations acknowledged in the country. Starting with year 1791 the position of catholic bishops was highly disputed in the Parliament of the province. Once with the apparition of early liberalism in Transylvania in the thirties of 19th century, the topic came in question again. The last important debate focused on the matter took place in 1837. Both counterparts were preparing themselves carefully for the battle. Mihály Fogarassy, a young and talented catholic priest of the time, later bishop of Transylvania, intended his book entitled On the Civil Status of the Bishop of Transylvania, to be an instrument and source for conservative politicians that decided to defend the post of bishop Miklós Kovács. The book summarizes the whole set of arguments for and objections against the bishop`s position, and so, gives a quite accurate picture over the essential issues emerged in the Parliament.

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