WCC mourns the passing of Bishop Károly Tóth
On the passing of a former Reformed Church in Hungary Presiding Bishop
In a letter of condolence to the Reformed Church in Hungary at the passing of Bishop Károly Tóth, the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, expressed gratitude for the “wealth of ecumenical commitment and experience” he brought to his ministry in the church.
During the 1980’s, Tóth was a member of the Central Committee and the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches. Early in his career, he served as an ecumenical officer and later as director of the ecumenical and communication department of his church. He eventually became presiding bishop of the Synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary.
“Having grown up during World War II, Bishop Tóth spent most of his life and ministry within the post-war context of East-West conflict.” Tveit said. “He dedicated himself to healing divisions among peoples and seeking peace through open dialogue.”
From 1991 until his death last week, Tóth continued to work diligently as president of the Ecumenical Research Centre in Hungary.