Cheong Pyeong, Korea - People from 54 countries filled a new stadium in Cheong Pyeong in the mountains east of Seoul for the World Peace Blessing on March 24. More than 2,500 couples participated as newlyweds and 1,100 couples joined to re-affirm their marital vows.
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Four religious leaders offered an invocation: Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, a former Roman Catholic archbishop; Mr. Taj Hamad, Secretary General of UPF; Mr. Dae Bong Kang, president of the National Confucian Scholars Association of Korea; and Ms. Soon Kyung Sung, chief executive of the Korean Buddhist Beobsa Order. Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, chairman of UPF, offered a prayer.
The officiators of the ceremony, Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, sprinkled holy water on representative couples and read four marriage vows, which the brides and grooms affirmed and then exchanged wedding rings.
Participants in UPF's Special Consultation on “The Role of Intergovernmental, Non-governmental and Faith-based Organizations in Building a World of Lasting Peace” from March 22 to 25 in Seoul, attended the World Peace Blessing, and two representatives offered words of congratulations.