Abp. Elpidophoros Joins Faith Leaders at DOJ to Discuss Protecting Houses of Worship

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Abp. Elpidophoros of America joined religious leaders from multiple faith traditions at the U.S. Department of Justice on Aug. 27 for a high-level gathering focused on protecting houses of worship, safeguarding religious freedom, and confronting religious hatred. His Grace Bp. Irinej Dobrijevic, of the Serbian Orthodox Church, was also in attendance.

The meeting was convened by the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu leaders joined representatives of the Justice Department to discuss threats facing religious communities and ways that faith leaders and government can work together to strengthen security and protect the free exercise of religion.

Abp. Elpidophoros, a trustee of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, emphasized the need for solidarity among religious communities in the face of violence and hatred. “It is in this spirit of mutual concern that we gather today, united not by fear, but by love — love for our own faithful and for our neighbor,” he said. “By seeking to ensure that all places of worship are protected, and that our freedom to worship is safeguarded, we choose to remain resolute in the face of fear, hatred, and violence.”

Held on the first anniversary of the attack at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minnesota, in which two children were killed and 21 people were injured, the gathering also included a panel discussion, a joint public statement, and prayers. The participating leaders called for stronger protections for houses of worship and proposed an ongoing body of religious leaders to monitor threats and work with the Justice Department.

The meeting included representatives of numerous Christian communities, as well as Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu leaders. Participants reaffirmed that religious liberty and the free exercise of religion are fundamental First Amendment rights and stressed the importance of standing together when any religious community is targeted.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Ecumenical Patriarch and Abp. Elpidophoros celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the historic Cyzicus Monastery.