“We urge a greater commitment by Europe against the persecution of
Christians around the world”: leaders of Christian churches in Europe
appealed to the President of the European Union, the Hungarian Prime
Minister Viktor Orbán, who received a delegation of representatives of
religious communities in Budapest.
The Catholic Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Cardinal Peter Erdö,
was head of the delegation with representatives from the Catholic
Church, and from the Orthodox and Protestant churches in Hungary.
Also
present were representatives of the Jewish Hungarian community.
Among the specific issues brought to the attention of the new
President of the EU were points of family policy, the situation of gypsy
communities in Europe and the need for greater commitment to religious
freedom in the world.
The Hungarian Prime Minister positively welcomed the active
collaboration of the Churches during his presidential mandate at the EU.
In expectation of future debates in the European Parliament and in the
European Council for Foreign Relations, the President assured his
commitment to effective action by Europe against Christian persecution
and the increasing attacks on Christian communities around the world.
Orbán asked the Churches to continue performing their important role of
“bridge builders”, being present at local, regional and national levels,
faithful to the role of representing “the voice of the people” to
institutions.
The recent meeting represents the beginning of dialogue between the
Churches and the Hungarian President of the European Union. The Churches
presented their program to accompany the Presidency for the first six
months of 2011.
SIC: EP/EU-INT'L