A series of events for world religious leaders was held from November 12 to 15, 2025, including a World Religious Leaders’ Peace Rally for Religious Freedom. The rally was jointly hosted by the Korea Religions Association (KRA), the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD), the World Christian Leadership Conference (WCLC), the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), and the Korean Clergy Leadership Conference (KCLC).
Major religious leaders from around the world attended, including Pastor T. L. Barrett of The Life Center Church of God in Christ (Chicago), Archbishop Chrysostomos Celi of the Autonomous Orthodox Metropolis of Ecuador and Latin America (Old Calendarist Orthodox jurisdiction), Archbishop Sulanch Lewis of the Little Rock Zion International Liberation Ministry, and Msgr. Joseph Lalo together with Dr. Anne Lalo of St. Thomas the Apostle Byzantine Catholic Church. In addition, Christian leaders, such as Co-Chairman Seo Jin-woo of the Korean Clergy Leadership Conference (KCLC), along with representatives from Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism, Donghak, and Confucianism in Korea, joined together in solidarity.
The agenda for their visit opened with an interfaith prayer meeting jointly hosted by WCLC and KCLC, followed by a press conference at which the 2025 World Religious Leaders’ Declaration was presented. On the following day, participants took part in an interfaith peace prayer rally and a pilgrimage to Cheon Won Gung. The schedule concluded with a special prayer vigil at Cheonshim Won.
WCLC-KCLC Interfaith Prayer Meeting
The first program, the WCLC-KCLC Interfaith Prayer Meeting, was held on November 13 in the auditorium of the Korea Religions Association.
The prayer meeting began with representative prayers offered by Dr. Robert Kittel of WCLC and Pastor Kim Jung-hyun of KCLC.
Korea Religions Association President Hong Yun-jong expressed his hope that these peace events, joined by world religious leaders, would serve as a platform of solidarity in support of religious freedom. Kim Ki-hoon, President of WCLC, underscored the purpose and significance of the events, while Moon Yeon-ah, Chair of the Sun Moon Educational Foundation, welcomed the clergy, affirming, “It is the responsibility of people of faith to realize one human family under God.”
In the subsequent joint praise session, Pastor T.L. Barrett emphasized the need to practice our faith in our lives—seeing God in those around us and loving them as we love God, beginning with our families and extending to our communities. Seo Jin-woo, Co-Chair of KCLC, affirmed that “True Mother’s commitment represents the practice of love for humanity, for reconciliation, and for unity.”
Archbishop Sulanch Lewis observed that whenever people of faith come together, hope is born. He affirmed that in such a gathering, truth and transformation are revealed more clearly.
The WCLC–KCLC Interfaith Prayer Meeting concluded with a solemn prayer offered by Dr. Anne Lalo of St. Thomas the Apostle Byzantine Catholic Church.
At this gathering, the clergy resolved to join forces in restoring the conscience and freedom of faith—the moral compass of human society—and to broaden interfaith cooperation for the future.
Press Conference on the Value of the Family Federation as a Religious Organization and of the Value of Religion as the Conscience of Society
On the afternoon of November 13, a press conference was held in front of the King Sejong Statue at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul, where the 2025 World Religious Leaders’ Declaration was presented.
The religious leaders who had gathered from across the globe affirmed their solidarity, voicing collective support for the Family Federation’s religious values and their shared commitment to safeguarding freedom of religion and faith.
Hong Yun-jong, President of the Korea Religions Association, explained the purpose of the press conference, stating, “In a time when freedom of religion and conscience is under threat, we seek to unite the hearts of people of faith around the world and to proclaim our commitment to religious peace.”
Through the World Religious Leaders’ Declaration, clergy representatives from around the world proclaimed statements of resolution: (1) to immediately end discrimination and unjust persecution that infringe upon freedom of faith, and to uphold the conscience and dignity of believers as the highest priority; (2) to build solidarity in truth and spirituality that fosters mutual respect and harmony among religions, presenting coexistence as a model for human society; (3) to call for responsible solidarity and action from the international community to safeguard freedom of religion and conscience; and (4) to support the Family Federation’s vision of peace and spiritual unity, while expanding interfaith cooperation for the future of humanity.
Following the declaration, clergy representatives delivered brief messages of support. Archbishop Sulanch Lewis emphasized, “We all know what love is. Dr. Han Hak-ja has devoted her life to loving her neighbors as herself,” highlighting her lifelong practice of love.
Pastor T. L. Barrett said that, with Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, prayers should be offered for True Mother’s freedom.
Pastor Ahn Jung-soo of the International Christian Missionary Association affirmed that the spirit of the Family Federation has always been oriented toward Heavenly Parent’s original ideal of creation—family harmony and peace for all humanity.
Following the speeches, WCLC clergy members staged a peace performance, in which they symbolized religious persecution by wearing handcuffs. The press conference concluded with a placard demonstration and a joint hymn of praise.
Interfaith Peace Rally for Religious Freedom
On the following day (November 14), WCLC representatives visited the Seoul Detention Center, where some of them had the opportunity to meet with True Mother, after which they joined the ongoing daily Peace Prayer for Religious Freedom held in front of the detention center.
The prayer meeting opened with a representative prayer offered by Archbishop Sulanch Lewis. In his welcoming remarks, Hong Yun-jong, President of the Korea Religions Association, underscored the significance of the press conference held the previous day at Gwanghwamun Square, noting that religious leaders had come together in unity to support True Mother’s path of peace and love. He emphasized, “It is the role of religions to stand together in solidarity to realize peace.”
Kim Ki-hoon, International President of WCLC, shared his reflections following an audience with True Mother, saying he was deeply moved by the members’ sincere devotion expressed through the daily peace prayer rallies held in front of the detention center.
In subsequent remarks expressing support, Pastor T. L. Barrett emphasized that, for True Mother, we must live lives that reflect God. Seo Jin-woo, Co-Chair of KCLC, stated, “The Republic of Korea guarantees religious freedom, and this is a value we must uphold together beyond religious prejudice.”
Ok Yoon-ho, District Leader of the Family Federation in Northern Seoul, stated that Heaven’s providence is revealed only when unity is achieved through absolute faith in Heavenly Parent, stressing the importance of firm conviction in True Mother.
Finally, led by Pastor Ahn Jung-soo, slogans were chanted in support of safeguarding freedom of religion and faith. The prayer gathering concluded with united praise and prayer.
World Clergy Interfaith Pilgrimage
After the Peace Prayer Rally, the clergy members visited Hyojeong Cheonwon and partook in a dinner with Inheritors of Heaven’s Love and Blessing, Moon Shin-chul and Moon Shin-heung.
Following dinner, the clergy embarked on a pilgrimage to Cheon Won Gung, where they had the opportunity to experience the providential stature and vision of True Parents. Visiting the Cheonil Sanctum, they viewed the Cheonil Seonghwa artworks and offered prayers, uniting their hearts in a shared faith in the Heavenly Parent who transcends religious boundaries. The program continued with a viewing of the paintings titled The Great Epic of the Chosen Han People of Korea, providing an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Heaven’s providence and the life course of True Parents.
As the concluding program, the clergy participated in the special night vigil at Cheonshim Won, where, with one united voice, they affirmed their call for religious freedom and pledged to continue upholding the sacred values and mission entrusted to them by Heaven.
