Roman Catholic Cardinal. Born in Zalalövo in the then Austro-Hungarian Empire, present day Hungary, László Lékai was the son of a stove master. Entering seminary in Veszprém, he was sent to Rome in order to pursue his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Ordained priest in September 1934, he served various offices in the diocese of Veszprém including those of lecturer at the local seminary and secretary to bishop Jószef Mindszenty. Interned by the Nazis between 1944 and 1945, he pursued his pastoral and diocesan work in Veszprém, of which see he was eventually named apostolic administrator "ad nutum Sanctæ Sedis", receiving his episcopal consecration with the titular see of Giro di Tarasio on March 16, 1972, in Budapest. Appointed to the same office in Esztergom in 1974, two years later Lékai was promoted its ordinary, becoming thus primate of Hungary. Pope Paul VI created him cardinal priest in the consistory of May 24, 1976, with the title of Santa Teresa al Corso d'Italia. He died in Esztergom while still in office having suffered a heart attack months before which left him in poor health.
Roman Catholic Cardinal. Born in Zalalövo in the then Austro-Hungarian Empire, present day Hungary, László Lékai was the son of a stove master. Entering seminary in Veszprém, he was sent to Rome in order to pursue his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Ordained priest in September 1934, he served various offices in the diocese of Veszprém including those of lecturer at the local seminary and secretary to bishop Jószef Mindszenty. Interned by the Nazis between 1944 and 1945, he pursued his pastoral and diocesan work in Veszprém, of which see he was eventually named apostolic administrator "ad nutum Sanctæ Sedis", receiving his episcopal consecration with the titular see of Giro di Tarasio on March 16, 1972, in Budapest. Appointed to the same office in Esztergom in 1974, two years later Lékai was promoted its ordinary, becoming thus primate of Hungary. Pope Paul VI created him cardinal priest in the consistory of May 24, 1976, with the title of Santa Teresa al Corso d'Italia. He died in Esztergom while still in office having suffered a heart attack months before which left him in poor health.
Bio by: Eman Bonnici
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