Washington, D.C. – Hungary’s commitment to aiding persecuted Christians has received high praise from U.S. leaders, with Congressman Chris Smith acknowledging the nation’s pioneering role in providing direct assistance to suffering Christian communities. A viral video circulating on Facebook shows Smith declaring:
“Who was there first? The Hungarians! Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian government, and the Hungarian people have been hugely generous to Christians all over the world.”
Smith, a longtime advocate for religious freedom, highlighted that Hungary was on the ground in Iraq helping Chaldean Christians before the U.S. took action. He noted that while American aid often got lost in bureaucracy, Hungary’s Hungary Helps Program directly supported persecuted believers.
U.S. Leaders Call for Renewed Focus on Religious Freedom
Religious liberty was a central theme at the fifth annual International Religious Freedom Summit, where key figures—including Vice President J.D. Vance, former Ambassador Sam Brownback, and Congressman Chris Smith—addressed the growing global persecution of Christians.
Vance sharply criticized past U.S. foreign policy, stating:
“In recent years, too often, our nation’s international engagement on religious-liberty issues has been corrupted and distorted to the point of absurdity. How did America get to the point where we’re sending hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars abroad to NGOs that are dedicated to spreading atheism all over the globe? That is not what leadership on protecting the rights of the faithful looks like, and it ends with this administration.”
The Vice President reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to defending religious freedom, emphasizing that it remains the bedrock of civil society in America and worldwide.
Christian Persecution Reaches Crisis Levels
The summit underscored the intensifying violence against Christians worldwide. Despite persecution, Christianity continues to grow, even in the most dangerous regions, demonstrating the resilience of believers. Leaders at the event stressed the urgent need for international intervention to protect religious minorities.
Drew Bowling, Congressional Co-Chair of the Summit, warned that inaction emboldens oppressors, urging the global community to amplify the voices of persecuted Christians and push for stronger protections.
A Renewed Moral Mission
With President Donald Trump’s administration pledging to prioritize religious freedom in its foreign policy, Hungary’s example serves as a model for direct, impactful humanitarian aid. As Smith stated, Hungary’s actions should be a wake-up call for Western nations to redirect their efforts toward genuinely aiding persecuted Christians, rather than relying on inefficient global organizations.
Hungary’s leadership on this issue remains a beacon of moral clarity, proving that nations willing to act decisively can make a real difference in the fight for religious freedom.