Political decision making is a great responsibility

2010-02-05

Sógor Csaba attended the American National Prayer Breakfast


Sógor Csaba, Hungarian MEP from Transylvania attended the 58th annual American National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. between 4-5 February, as a member of the European Parliament’s (EP) delegation.

The event originally started by president Eisenhower in 1953, grew to be of international caliber: 3800 participants from over 180 countries attended with guests as Barack Obama, the President of the United States of America, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, US vice-president Joe Bieden, former US President Bill Clinton and José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain, the incumbent country responsible for the EU presidency.

The aim of the senators organizing the event was to provide spiritual support to rely on in the difficult process of decision making.

In his speech, President Barack Obama mentioned that he prays more often in these trying times and stated that the solution to the problems cannot come exclusively from the government: civil society has a great responsibility because it can bridge the gaps left after political debates.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a speech with references to her personal life mentioning she grew up in a very strict Methodist family, her religious education having helped her understand that public life bares great responsibilities that put the individual to the test.

MEP Sógor Csaba was captivated by Ms. Clinton’s personal account of being very fond on a prayer book she received from a Religious Women’s Group, that have helped her in crucial moments of her life.

- It was a personal event – said Sógor Csaba –, we approached public life from the point of view of faith. We shared moments that made us realize: the things keeping us together in times of need are stronger than the forces that pulling us apart.