Two American pastors delivered the UPF peace message to Dominican audiences.
Santo Domingo
The Main Event was held in the auditorium of the State University library in Santo Domingo. Ambassadors for Peace were responsible for inviting people, and they focused on bringing a select group of distinguished participants. The Library Auditorium is one the nicest and most central public places in the city.
The MC, Mr. Cesar Regalado, welcomed participants, followed by an invocation by the well-known former Minister of Higher Education, Lic. Andrés Reyes. He has worked to introduce the UPF philosophy to government ministers. Dr. Clara Benedicto, vice-president of UASD, offered the welcoming remarks.
The translator was Dr. Margarita Cornielle. She is one of first Ambassadors for Peace in this country, and she has been selected several times to represent our nation in international conferences. She humbly agreed to be the translator for the speaker.
Bishop Shirley Cotton, from Atlanta, Georgia, introduced the speech by giving a testimony of gratefulness for being chosen to represent Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon on this occasion. She was impressed by the high level of participants and spoke with great power.
The speech became rather long because the speaker read one paragraph and then the translator read it in Spanish. Even so, nobody left until the end. Everybody was focused on the speech, creating such a good atmosphere that none of the 100 people in the audience wanted to leave.
After the event, Dr. Gladys Gutiérrez, former State Minister of Women's Affairs and current supervisor of women's affairs for the presidency, asked Bishop Cotton to pray for her to recover her health, and Bishop Cotton offered a deep prayer.
Santiago
The event was held in the Alianza Cibaeña Library, a historical library in Santiago, the second-largest city in the country. The Masonic Lodge president Venerable Master George offered the welcoming remarks. He is an Ambassador for Peace who graciously offers assistance in many ways.
Pastor Jessie Griffin started the speech with vigor and enthusiasm, inspiring confidence in the distinguished guests.
People listened carefully to the speech. Among the key participants were a captain representing the Chief of Police, three pastors from different Christian denominations, presidents of neighborhood associations, a journalist, and several Ambassadors for Peace from the northern region. There were more than 50 participants in all.
To read a message delivered at UPF peace rallies click here.
