Protesters Fined After Storming Franciscan Church in Downtown Budapest

Translation of an article originally published in Hungarian by Magyar Jelen on January 11, 2026 by Adam Donát

Four individuals were fined after forcing their way into the Church of St. Peter of Alcantara on Ferenciek Square during one of the weekly protests organized by globalist opposition MP Ákos Hadházy last September, Pesti Srácok reported, citing Magyar Nemzet.

During the demonstration, the bells of the Franciscan church rang continuously for seventeen minutes, tolling during speeches delivered at the rally. Rather than tolerating the interruption, several demonstrators advanced into the church itself, entering through the main doors to voice their objections.

This provocative intrusion into a sacred space led to a hostile confrontation between Franciscan friar Father Pál Reisz and several protesters. Hadházy initially urged demonstrators not to enter the church, but soon engaged in an argument of his own with the friar. When Father Reisz asked whether the intention was to disrupt the demonstration, he replied that “the purpose of the bell is to keep sin at bay.”

According to Magyar Nemzet, four individuals were formally charged with violating the freedom of religious worship and were issued fines.

The newspaper also reports that three additional participants are under investigation for disorderly conduct.

Following the incident, the Franciscans and the liberal-globalist member of parliament reached an agreement under which future demonstrations would be held in a more distant section of the square, so as not to interfere with religious services or activities within the church.

Patriots Stood in Defense of the Church

In the aftermath of the incident, Tamás Horváth, editor-in-chief of Magyar Jelen, issued a public pledge:

“If Hadházy and his supporters demonstrate again at Ferenciek Square next Tuesday, my friends and I will be there to defend the church.”

One week later, that promise was put into action. Roughly fifty people gathered at Ferenciek Square, standing before the church and praying the rosary in an act of peaceful but firm defense of the sacred site.

Our editorial staff covered the unfolding events in a video report, speaking with numerous participants present at the scene. The full report can be viewed here.