Lisbon, Portugal—UPF representatives were invited by the Tocoist Church in Portugal to a celebration of two major events.
The celebration on February 26, 2023, honored the 105th anniversary of its founder, the Prophet Simão Toco, and the inauguration of a new church building on the outskirts of Lisbon.
Prominent guests, including representatives of the Angolan Embassy, joined the more than 300 people in attendance.
From Angola came a large delegation of Tocoist members, presided over by their current spiritual leader, His Holiness Bishop Afonso Nunes, accompanied by his wife and the late Prophet’s daughter.
During his speech Rev. Pastor António Gomes, the first president of the Tocoist Church in Portugal, presented UPF as a longtime and trusted friend. Later, UPF-Portugal President Dr. Sérgio Vieira, during his own speech, underlined the two groups’ shared values and common vision for a future of true peace.
During the banquet, UPF representatives introduced UPF’s vision and work to several guests, namely Dr. Rocha Nascimento, one of the Angolan Embassy representatives.
The possibility to speak about the work and the vision of UPF founders Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, brought a heightened sense of the common ground that we all share as we work together for peace.
It also opened new opportunities for UPF to continue to work in Portugal and Lusophone societies in partnership with the Tocoist Church.