“Through our various organisations, we are there, not only in Budapest but also around the country. The Maltese Charity has been helping migrants for some time in western Hungary,” he said.

Commenting on his recent statement, criticised by many media outlets, that if the church were to shelter refugees they would be aiding and abetting human smugglers, Erdő said he had only referred to the legal environment and the statement had been taken out of context. Erdő said that at the press conference on Thursday he was describing the legal obstacles to helping migrants.

But he said he also noted that despite the uncertain legal situation, two properties had been selected by the Bishops’ Conference and the church would participate in putting up refugees when there is an opportunity.

The leftist opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) party on Sunday called on leaders of the Hungarian Catholic Church to help migrants arriving in Hungary.

The party said it expects the church to speak out “against the government’s inhumanity and help those in need: families, women and children fleeing from war.”

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MTI photo: Pogár Demeter