Hungary Ex-Official Urges New Government To Continue Aid For Persecuted Christians

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief reporting from Budapest, Hungary

BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungary’s former state secretary responsible for aiding persecuted Christians expects the new government of Prime Minister Péter Magyar to continue a mission that he says helped save “tens of thousands of human lives” around the world.

Tristan Azbej stepped down this week after nearly nine years in office, during which Hungary became the first nation with a government body dedicated to helping persecuted Christians globally.

“3,155 days — this is how long I was able to serve Hungary and Christians suffering innocently and other people in need,” Azbej, 47, wrote in a farewell message seen by Worthy News.

He said Hungary’s humanitarian aid initiatives reached more than 60 countries through the Hungary Helps Program, which assisted in war zones, refugee camps, the Middle East, Africa, and other troubled regions.

Azbej added that the program represented “the solidarity of the Hungarian people” and helped save “tens of thousands of human lives.”

HUNGARY HELPS PROGRAM

“This service contained all my knowledge, strength, enthusiasm, and heart,” Azbej explained, saying he had worked to represent “Christian solidarity and Hungarian interests” at both humanitarian missions and diplomatic negotiations.

He thanked supporters, colleagues, and his family while expressing gratitude to God “for inviting us to be His instruments.”

Azbej voiced “confidence” that Hungary’s new government would continue supporting persecuted Christians despite the country’s recent political transition following the end of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s administration.

“I am confident that the new government will recognize the importance of our cause as a national mission and will continue with the Hungary Helps Program,” he wrote.

“If it does so, I wish my successor a successful job, and I am willing to share all the experience and knowledge gained over the past nine years beyond the official handover and takeover.”

CONTINUING THE MISSION

Despite leaving office, Azbej said he intends to remain active in supporting persecuted Christians as a private citizen.

He noted that shortly after stepping down, he traveled privately to Vienna, Austria, for talks with Catholic organizations and Lebanese Christian representatives to discuss peace in the Middle East and the future of Christian communities in Lebanon.

“One learns with time that the title may be important, but not everything,” Azbej reflected. “The mission remains, solidarity remains.”

Christians are now “the most persecuted group in the world,” Azbej told Worthy News previously.

Advocacy group Open Doors estimates that more than 388 million Christians worldwide face high levels of persecution and discrimination because of their faith, particularly in parts of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and communist nations.

Thousands of Christians are reportedly killed, imprisoned, abducted, or forced from their homes each year because of their beliefs, according to rights groups monitoring religious freedom.

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