Religion: Imprudent Mindszenty?

Cardinal Mindszenty may be a hero to millions of Roman Catholics, and non-Catholics as well, but many Vatican insiders are currently critical of him. Their complaint: his “very definite lack of prudence.” First count against him: allowing himself to be photographed saying Mass in the U.S. legation close to an American flag. Second: assigning his aide, Msgr. Egon Turchanyi, to smuggle out of Hungary a message for U.S. Cardinal Spellman. Father Turchanyi—who was also in the legation photograph and clearly identifiable—was caught at the Austrian border and imprisoned by the Reds. Both the flag episode and the message, the Vatican fears, may strengthen the familiar Communist propaganda line that Mindszenty is an American stooge.

As for the continued rebellion in Hun gary, the Vatican deplores it. “Whatever the consequences,” said a spokesman, “the Pope and Vatican cannot but feel deepest anguish at the continuing bloodshed.”