Hiller said at the introduction that Csepregi would have the same standing as an undersecretary and would be invited to participate at ministerial meetings.
The ministry recently discontinued the post of undersecretary-advisor in charge of church relations and set up a committee for church relations with 7-10 members in its place. The committee enjoys unhindered communication with the minister. Hiller noted that the heads of Hungary?s historically important churches had welcomed the formation of the committee at a recent meeting.
Hiller stressed that Csepregi?s tasks will involve no empty official or bureaucratic work. ?We strive to?support the churches in Hungary in a more transparent and balanced manner,? Hiller said. If necessary, Csepgregi will represent the ministry, and even the minister himself, he said, adding that Csepregi would be in for some ?real work? in the coming months.
Assessing the relations between church and state during the past four years, Csepregi said: ?It could have been much better?.There was much unnecessary tension produced by both sides.? He added that he hoped this tension could be resolved.
He said he considered a sign of change that the minister had sought out an active member of the church to head the committee. He said the position was a ?good and creative calling? which would not be incompatible with his work until now. He said he would continue his work in education.
Csepregi received his diploma from the Evangelical Theological Academy in 1987. He held regular seminars at the same academy between 1992 and 1996. He continued his studies in Switzerland and the UK, writing his doctoral dissertation at the University of Durham.
Csepregi was pastor of a church in Györköny from 1987 until 1992, and of a church in Budapest from 1992 until 1999. He was named an adjunct at the Evangelical Seminary?s Nyíregyháza Branch for Religious Instructors in 1999 and a docent in 2005.
Csepregi has been a member of the István Bibó Spritual Workshop since 2003, and he headed a workgroup for the Central and Eastern European Region of the Lutheran World Conference in 2004 and 2005. He is the author of dozens of books, articles studies and translations.
