Budapest Report 2018 On Christian Persecution

Abstract

The Budapest Report, presenting the situation of persecuted Christian communities in the world is published in 2018 for the second time. The Hungarian Government initiated the publication of a summary report in 2017 with the aim of familiarizing the Hungarian general and scientific community with the traditions, life and prospects of specific Christian communities in a credible manner every year. The report was also published in English last year making it accessible for the international community as well. Several international research institutes also deal with the evaluation of the current situation of Christian communities. The Hungarian Catholic Bishops Conference regularly sends round the hat to assist persecuted Christians in the Middle East, the donations, with funds from the Hungarian Government were used to build a school in Erbil, Iraq, which is attended by Christian, Yazidi and Muslim children alike. It is an unprecedented act that assistance to persecuted Christian communities is also an aim of the Government besides the obvious engagement of the Church in Hungary. The studies in this publication present the situation of Christian communities in 2018 from several perspectives. The general security policy studies help us understand the situation in the regions involved, especially in the Middle East and the African continent. Thus a comprehensive picture is generated about the life of Christian communities, which are threatened by economic and political crises, natural disasters, the climate-crisis, as well as by interreligious conflicts like in this particular case. Finally, the publication discusses the efforts of specific Hungarian and international (charity) organizations, which are focused on the ministerial humanitarian support to persecuted Christians. This is the part of the publication where the activities of the Holy See and the Pope of Rome are also discussed. Pope Francis, just like his predecessors in the 20 th century emphasizes the international protection of the rights of religious and ethnic communities in his addresses, as well as – in several cases even with funds – assists persecuted minorities. In October 2018 our Holy father personally met the group of Christian students, studying in Hungary with a scholarship from the Hungarian Government, and had an opportunity to learn the solidarity of the Hungarian people first hand, which, as he put it “deeply touched him”. The publication does not simply provide comprehensive information on persecuted Christians, but it also aims at promoting solidarity and assistance to persecuted communities. I request all the readers of this publication to pray for our persecuted Christian brethren so that besides mental and material support, they also get spiritual assistance. I am pleased to extend my pastoral blessing to the authors and the readers of this publication as well as to our persecuted Christian brethren. Cardinal Péter Erdő the Primate of Hungary, Archbishop of Esztergom–Budapest