Mr Rodríguez Zapatero, who spoke as a special guest at the National Prayer Breakfast that opens the political year in the US, began his speech by offering his thanks for the invitation to take part, on behalf of Spain, in one of the events of the “greatest tradition and symbolism in American society”.
He said he would speak in Spanish, “in the language that was first used to pray to the God Evangel on this land”.
He praised the conquests of a nation such as the USA, that abolished slavery, recognised equality to vote, and banned discrimination; that has opened up to pluralism, tolerance and respect for all options and beliefs.
He highlighted that Spain is “the most multicultural of the lands of Europe” “Celtic and Iberian, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Jewish, Arab and above all Christian”.
The Spanish President read a passage from the Bible, as is customary at this event. The chosen passage was Chapter 24 from Deuteronomy: “Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your countrymen or a foreigner living in one of the towns of your country. Pay him his wages that same day before sunset because he is poor and is counting on it”.
In his speech he took advantage of the opportunity to defend the integration of those who have come to work and to live in harmony in our countries. He also reminded everyone of those who suffer hunger and misery, at which point he mentioned Haiti, recently victim of a terrible earthquake that has devastated the country.
He also referred to the responsibilities of government leaders with respect to those who are suffering from being without work.
He defended the right of each person, anywhere in the world, to their moral autonomy, for their own search for the best. He also defended the “freedom for all to live their own lives, to live with a loved one and to create and care for their home environment.”
He defended tolerance that “goes way beyond the simple acceptance of the other”, respect for difference, dialogue, the co-existence of cultures and the Alliance of Civilisations.
Finally he said a few words in memory of the victims of terrorism and praised the value of freedom as the “foundation for hope in the future”.
