Molnár Ferenc Caramel is the main lay patron of the Hungarian Reformed Charity Service's Szeretethíz Szeretethíjalja volunteer program.
Caramel singer Ferenc Molnár, the main secular patron of the volunteer program Szeretethíd Subcarpathia, talks about selfless assistance, war, faith and the catharsis of singing psalms - interview on the website of the Magyar Református Szeretetszolgálat jobbadni.hu/blog.
– How do you see it: in 2022, giving more happiness than receiving?
"Unfortunately, the trend in today's world is that most people like to receive." Fortunately, there are still good initiatives and people who notice the problems of others and it is important for them to give. This should be normal. I often hear celebrities talk about their charitable giving and how uplifting it is for them. It would be nice if it was not uplifting for people, but natural to help others.
– Are you used to volunteering or doing charity work?
"I'm used to it, but I don't like to talk about it." Of course, when it is necessary to contribute to the success of a program with my face or fame, or to draw attention to something important, I am happy to do so. But I think that if someone helps, it shouldn't be in the shop window.
Every person, every community has its own problems, which it tends to forget. I see that Hungary is a sensitive society, Hungarians generally pay attention to each other, listen to other people's problems; just think of the donation launched for the cure of Zente with SMA on the social network. This may stem from the fact that we are a nation that has been tormented by history, and because of this, we can probably feel a little better the problems and conflict situations around us. I may be an idealist, but I see that in Hungarian society, from the poorest to the richest, from the young to the retired, everyone moves when there is a problem. Whether it is the treatment of a sick child costing hundreds of millions or the fleeing Transcarpathian Hungarians. Obviously, in this, as in everything, we have room for improvement - but not only for us, but for the whole world.
- Perhaps Christ's love in action shows itself better in trouble. The Charity Service has not yet experienced such an exemplary cooperation as what happened as a result of the Ukrainian-Russian war.
– It may be strange for me to say this, but many people still bury their heads in the sand and only notice that there is a problem when it is already close or affects us too. But we should always notice! No matter how far away it is, if innocent people lose their lives somewhere, I think it should be just as painful as if it happens close to us. Obviously, when it comes to Transcarpathia, Hungarian-inhabited areas, then these feelings intensify, the whole thing is more terrifying, more palpable. But it would be good to learn to empathize with the more distant peoples. This is one of the most important Christian messages, that the fate of each person, whether they live in Africa or the Middle East, should be valuable to us.
This is precisely why I believe the Reformed Church, for example, to be credible and why I stand by it in several noble causes, because it is always sensitive towards the needy, it does not only help when it is in the "showcase" when the whole world is watching. Already 35 years ago, in the reformed school I attended, I experienced that they worked hard to catch up with disadvantaged Roma living in deep poverty.
– This is also why you agreed to be the chief lay patron of the Szeretethíd program?
"Yes." I have many ties to the Reformed Church, and if with my fame I can draw attention to the need for as many people as possible to help, with their own means, at their own level, then it has already been worth it.
the original, full interview here.
Source: Nóra Kisfaludy/Hungarian Reformed Charity Service/jobbadni.hu/blog
Featured image: femina.hu
