Historical directory of Hungarian, Hungarian-descended, and Hungarian-speaking clergy serving abroad

Bolváry Pál (OSPPE)

Bolváry Pál (OSPPE)
Deceased
Birth data:
Kalocsa, Hungary — April 13, 1924
Death data:
Budapest, Hungary — January 31, 2001
Denomination:
Roman Catholic
Ecclesiastical status:
diocesan
previously: pálos
Diocese / Order:
Pittburgh, PA, USA
previously: pálos (Ordo Fratrum Sancti Pauli Primi Eremitae)
Ordination level:
priest
Entry into religious life:
1942
Priestly ordination:
1947
Place of burial:
központi temető
Pécs, Hungary
Biographical data
He joined the Pauline Order in 1942. He completed his college studies in Pécs. He was ordained a priest in 1947. Scout leader. In order to be able to leave for the West—at the suggestion of a well-wisher—he volunteered for the Peace Priests’ mission to Moscow. As a result, he later received a passport valid for Yugoslavia. From there, he was helped across the Italian border on foot. In the U.S., he had hoped to found a monastery based on Pauline traditions, but the Superior General forbade this; he then requested his dismissal from the Pauline Order and his transfer to the Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA.
After the fall of communism, his heart drew him back home, and he first served at the Paulines’ Rock Church in Buda, then, upon returning to Pécs, at the Pécskertváros parish, and later at the Pauline Church.
However, he could not legally return to the Pauline Order, as once a member has left, they cannot be readmitted. Therefore, he joined the community as a confrere (honorary member).
Due to his deteriorating health, he was forced to leave Pécs and found a place and care in Páty, at the Maltese Home, and later in Buda, at the Edit Farkas Social Home; yet despite his failing health, he continued to perform his pastoral duties at both locations.
Domestic service locations
From To Place Country Church / institution Position
1947 1950 Pécs Hungary Pálos templom pastor, scout leader
1951 1952 Vác Hungary Váci Börtön in prison
1951 1952 Budapest Hungary in prison
1952 1956 Komló Hungary warehouse worker at a mine
1956 Pécs Hungary Pius templom assistant pastor
1957 1961 Pécs Hungary Ágoston tér sacristan
1961 1963 Márianosztra Hungary in prison
1963 1972 Budapest Hungary hospital aide, then sacristan in Máriaremete
1993 2001 Pécs Hungary pastoral work, and then in retirement.
1993 2001 Páty Hungary pastoral work
1993 2001 Pécs Hungary pastoral work
1993 2001 Budapest Hungary Farkas Edith Szeretetotthon
Foreign service locations
From To Place Country Church / institution Position
1973 1993 Pittsburgh, PA USA parish priest
Literary activity
Rabláncon Krisztusért. – Youngstown: Katolikus Magyarok Vasárnapja, 1992.
Life timeline
Birth
Kalocsa, Hungary
Entry into religious life
Service in the homeland
19471950
Pécs, Hungary
Pálos templom
pastor, scout leader
Priestly ordination
Service in the homeland
19511952
Vác, Hungary
Váci Börtön
in prison
Service in the homeland
19511952
Budapest, Hungary
in prison
Service in the homeland
19521956
Komló, Hungary
warehouse worker at a mine
Service in the homeland
Pécs, Hungary
Pius templom
assistant pastor
Service in the homeland
19571961
Pécs, Hungary
Ágoston tér
sacristan
Service in the homeland
19611963
Márianosztra, Hungary
in prison
Service in the homeland
19631972
Budapest, Hungary
hospital aide, then sacristan in Máriaremete
Service abroad
19731993
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
parish priest
Service in the homeland
19932001
Pécs, Hungary
pastoral work, and then in retirement.
Service in the homeland
19932001
Páty, Hungary
pastoral work
Service in the homeland
19932001
Pécs, Hungary
pastoral work
Service in the homeland
19932001
Budapest, Hungary
Farkas Edith Szeretetotthon
Death
Budapest, Hungary
Sources
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Citation for this entry
Bolváry Pál (OSPPE): personal record. In: Historical directory of Hungarian, Hungarian-descended, and Hungarian-speaking clergy serving abroad. Available at: https://www.diaszporalelkipasztorok.hu/persons_v2/view.php?id=100 (accessed: 2026-04-05).