On the first day of her visit to the United States, the President of Hungary gave a lecture on Hungarian politics and its Christian foundations to American Christian intellectuals in New York, according to the Hungarian State Media MTI.
Katalin Novák spoke about Hungary’s relationship with Christianity, its elements in politics, and the social impact of Christian roots.
‘Hungary is a Christian country by definition and fate,
which is reflected in everyday life regardless of the number of regular churchgoers,’ Novák said. The President pointed out at the event organised by the Bonum Commune Foundation that the lifestyle and traditions in Hungary are Christian. She also talked about Hungary’s steps to protect persecuted Christians, which, according to her, have already reached one million people worldwide, and as she said, Hungarian people now pay much more attention to this issue.
Novák spoke about the foundations of Hungarian politics, emphasising that in addition to the individual, community is also considered a priority, since the sovereignty of the nation and the country are highlighted alongside the sovereignty of the individual. Respect for work and the dignity of human life in all forms, as well as the protection of families and children, and the responsibility in these areas are crucial in political measures, she added.
As an example of Christian-based politics, the President presented the elements and principles of Hungarian family policy. She highlighted that
it is not the state’s role to tell anyone how to live, but it is its duty to provide opportunities for people to have children
if they choose to do so. Traditional families and family values are supported in the process, she noted, repeatedly referring to the provisions of the Hungarian Constitution, which came into effect in 2012.
Novák also touched upon the Ukrainian war, emphasising that it demands the most sacrifices from families, and for this reason alone, peace and a ceasefire must follow, and the war must end in the name of Christian values. The goal is not to fuel the war, but to stop it.
Gladen Pappin, a professor at the University of Dallas, one of the organisers of the event, and a guest professor at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium in Budapest, said they considered it important for the American audience to learn about the principles of Hungarian politics, and noted that while Hungarian is a very complicated language, what it conveys reflects very clear thinking.
Novák will participate and speak on the importance of family at one of the largest events of the United Nations, the Commission on the Status of Women, on Monday.
