Amb. Luis T. Cruz
I wish to extend my sincerest condolences to the family of the late Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and to the members of the Universal Peace Federation and the Unification Church on the demise of their founder. Rev. Dr. Moon was a visionary leader who steered the Universal Peace Federation and the Unification Church through the years and developed them into among the most important institutions in Korea, and left behind a legacy of faith and public service. I join the Korean people in mourning the loss of a prominent spiritual leader and pray that his family and friends will find comfort and solace during this most difficult time.
Luis T. Cruz
Ambassador of the Philippines to the Republic of Korea
Imelda Romualdez-Marcos
I am thankful for the life of Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Universal Peace Federation, the Unification Movement, The Washington Times, and the Little Angels of Korea. He dedicated his life in service of many people by championing peace, promoting international and interfaith unity, advocating a pro-family culture, and inspiring people coming from different nations, backgrounds, and classes. He made a difference in the lives of many people and made their welfare his ultimate priority. A man like him will always be remembered, not only for his contributions in the field where he was called, but as a man of strong faith, noble character, and good intentions. The legacy that he left will always stay alive and will remain true in our hearts. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, thank you for sharing your life with us, and we will always remember you.
Imelda Romualdez-Marcos
First Lady of the Philippines (1965–1986)
Ma Ying-jeou
It was quite shocking to learn that Rev. Sun Myung Moon had passed away, and I felt deeply sorry about the situation. Please accept my sincere condolences and sympathies with this brief message. I especially hope that you can assuage your sorrows and sufferings, and take great care of yourself in this difficult occasion. I hereby express my sincere condolences, sympathies, and regards.
Ma Ying-jeou
President of Taiwan
Salma R. Kikwete
I received with deep sorrow the sad news of the passing of Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon. Indeed, the world has lost an extraordinary, compassionate, and great visionary leader. His leadership and work has touched millions of people globally and earned him a special admiration by many of us in Tanzania and beyond. I have known the late Rev. Dr. Moon personally. He was a great supporter of the work I do in Wanawake na Maendeleo Foundation (WAMA), which I lead. This is a not-for-profit organization whose objective is to promote the development of women and children in our country. I wish to convey to Mother Moon, his family members, and the entire UPF family my heartfelt condolences for the passing of Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon. I join you in prayer to Almighty God to lay his soul in eternal peace.
Salma R. Kikwete
First Lady, Tanzania
Prof. Dr. Marco Frenschkowski
I wish to convey my deepest sympathy to members of the Universal Peace Federation and other organizations connected to Rev. Moon, upon the death of their founder. Despite all the differences between himself and the Christian churches, we have long treated each other with respect. His achievements do not fall into any of the traditional categories but can now be acknowledged/appreciated in their entirety. Many who have nothing to do with the organizations he founded will mourn his death, and with good reason. I have had the opportunity to observe the work being done by the UPF for many years now, and am still impressed and moved by it. It doesn´t in any way fit the image that Germany may hold of a sect. It operates in a distinguished and open-hearted manner for peace and mutual understanding between people, nations, and religions. Their interreligious and ecumenical work is truly exemplary. The spirit of its founder has produced great fruits here, without question. We will thus continue our critical dialogue/discussions with interest and respect.
Prof. Dr. Marco Frenschkowski
Protestant theologian, University of Leipzig, Germany
Prof. Konrad Löw
A great personality has departed from us in Rev. Moon. I bow in recognition of his outstanding contributions towards freedom and peace in the world. Even the wicked slander that he received here in Germany could not discourage him. And so he will remain an example and guide to us all.
Prof. Konrad Löw
Political scientist and legal scholar, University of Bayreuth, Germany
Dr. Heinz Achim Rhode
Rev. Moon has earned his place amongst the great people of the 20th century. Nobody embodied and endured the extremities of our time as he did. He fought unceasingly for reconciliation between religions. He was also the founder of a religious community. His legacy will remain with us always and his spirit will continue to inspire us.
Dr. Heinz Achim Rhode
Former governor of the State of Dusseldorf, Germany
Dr. Tarek Ali
There are few people in the world who do not belong to a governmental organization and yet have the spirit to lead an international ethical movement which teaches the value of the family as fundamental for society and encourages everyone to work for peace and tolerance, offering respect to all religions, giving them the chance to express themselves and to come together. This world will always be in need of Rev. Moon's spirit and his movement. My appreciation and respect! May Allah accept his soul and give the family patience in this time of departure.
Dr. Tarek Ali
Medical doctor in Wiesbaden, Germany
Prof. Dr. Qais Saidi
Believing that death is the second lifeI salute the spirit of Father Sun Myung Moon,who planted love and peace between usso that it blooms green and beautiful.
Prof. Dr. Qais Saidi
President of the Association of Mandaeans in Germany
Dr. R.K. Behl
I pray that the Almighty God may grant peace to the departed noble soul in His heavenly abode and instruct humanity to emulate the legendary figure of unification, brotherhood, peace, and progress.
Dr. R.K. Behl
Former Associate Dean of the Haryana Agricultural University, India
Prof. Dr. El Bassam
Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon passed away leaving a gap which cannot be abandoned. He pledged himself and worked incessantly for peace, understanding, and respect between nations, religions, and generations, educating and supporting thousands of individuals. We wish and hope that his successors will continue his pioneer work in the same spirit for the sake of mankind. They can rely upon our unlimited support and engagement for a peaceful world and for the dignity and prosperity of mankind. Thank you, Sun Myung Moon, and good bye!
Prof. Dr. El Bassam
Director of the International Research Centre for Renewable Energy, Germany
Amir Dr. H.C. Mohammed Herzog
Lord over life and death! You have called a soul back to You, to whom you once gave life. Treat him with compassion, but be compassionate also with those he left behind, who not only feel the pain of loss, but the fear of their own death through such recurring events. We do not know what lies beyond, but live in hope, since You promised us life. You wanted to give us life, also eternal life. We cannot escape death, we will all meet the same fate according to your justice, but we can overcome our fear through trust in You. Each day brings us closer to our fate. Help us to continue after our last step. However, let us not forget those who went before us. Let us not live in fear of our earthly end but live in hope of what is to follow. Amen One of the greatest peacemakers has left us. We Ambassadors for Peace and friends throughout the world will continue His great works.
Amir Dr. H.C. Mohammed Herzog
Islamic community of German-speaking Muslims in Berlin, Germany
Carmine Onnembo and Elke Preusser-Franke
It has pleased God, the Lord over life and death to recall Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon from the earthly world into the spiritual world. His accomplishments as founder of the worldwide unification movement have set a valuable standard for peaceful coexistence for all time, which cannot be denied even by his critics. The life and works of Rev. Moon fill us Jews with gratitude, as our people respect the same values and principles that he upholds. His messages are similar in many ways to our commandments. We read in the Torah: “The only important thing is what you leave behind … because that is what our God will measure you by.” Then, based on Rev. Moon's accomplishments, God will surely grant his family strength and confidence, despite their mourning. His promotion of interreligious dialogue and the founding of the Universal Peace Federation and Women's Federation for World Peace based on love and understanding among all people have made Rev. Moon into a True Father and faithful parent exemplifying all the divine ideals that seemed to have been forgotten. As Ambassadors for Peace, we will always honor his memory.
Carmine Onnembo – UPF Board of Directors
Dr. Elke Preusser-Franke – President of the Jewish Women's Association of Dresden, Germany
Rev. Cathie Mann
Please pass on my condolences to the Moon family. It is always sad to lose a family member. He truly was a humanitarian and has helped to create a better and more peaceful world. This good work of his will continue on in our memories and in our hearts and through the continued good work of his followers. I had the pleasure of attending several of your conferences and was always impressed with what wonderful people his followers were. I had the pleasure once of being at a conference where Rev. Moon and his wife were. There are only a handful of leaders who do so much good that continues after them into the future.
Rev. Cathie Mann
Former head of the Church of Scientology in Ottawa, Canada
Kathy Grant
My sincere condolences to Mrs. Moon for her great loss. Kathy GrantCanadian soul singer and radio personality, Ottawa, Canada
Fred Sherman
I too wish to convey sincere condolences to Mrs. Moon and the Moon family. Throughout his lifetime, Reverend Sun Myung Moon brought so many people together with an ultimate goal of making the world a better place. His will forever be a lasting legacy of serene benevolence.
Fred Sherman
Black community leader, Ottawa, Canada
Nikom Wiratpanij
It was with deep sorrow that I have learned from the Universal Peace Federation of Thailand about the passing away of the Reverend Dr. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Universal Peace Federation and the Unification Church. On behalf of all members of the Thai Senate, may I express our sincere condolences to you and your family for the bereavement of such a great personality, whose devotion to humanity, peace, and freedom will remain. Once again, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy, and may you have the strength to cope with this loss.
Nikom Wiratpanij
President, the Senate of Thailand
Harry Ananda
God bless Father Moon's family. Father Moon has been serving God around the world.
Harry Ananda
Presidential Director, Pt. Mastrada, Indonesia
Leonora Lliy
I am sorry that the world has lost a great religious leader like Rev. Sun Myung Moon. He must be in heaven now to pray for all his members.
Leonora Lily
Indonesia
Fortuna Anthony
The world has lost a great leader and one who lived his entire life working selflessly to help others understand that the essence of living is each one making an effort to make a difference, each one being a vehicle for transporting peace.
Rev. Sun Myung Moon lived for others, and there is no doubt in my mind that his legacy will live on through all those who wish and have a vision for a world of peace.
I will always treasure and remember having an opportunity in my lifetime to meet such a great leader. Today we have lost to the great beyond a well-loved and often misunderstood leader, one who regardless of his age worked for world peace. Many of us will mourn his passing, but I know that he will live on through each and every one who understood his burning desire for peace. We must affirm his work and continue to do his work. I was privileged to have met and to have been in the company of Father Moon, as he was affectionately called. My first conference was one which had me reflecting on how one individual could bring thousands of persons of various religious and cultural persuasions together.
There I was able to witness an outpouring of love and brotherhood which signified that persons regardless of religious beliefs could live together in unity. Rev. Moon always spoke of the “family” as the uniting force of peace in the home, society, country, and the world. In his definition, the family was not just associated with the ‘bloodline” but the place where peace-loving individuals were called to treat each other as family. This powerful message remained within, and it became increasingly easy to care for, reach out, and support all whom I met. I saw the world as my relations and in my many travels accepted others and their way of living as my own.
This powerful message will remain with me all my life. l was educated to recognize that there were so many religious groups and we were able to pray together regardless of whether we understood each other’s language. Father Moon broke down the barriers of language, country, and religion and helped me to understand that peace was made by each individual understanding first themselves and then learning to accept each other, knowing that we are all imperfect but can make a difference if only we each sought to do something constructive which would impact positively on the lives of others.
There is the saying that unity is strength, and many times there has been the misconception that one must wait for a vast number to make a difference. I listened carefully to Rev. Moon in New York, and there he challenged the thousands who were present to make a difference. I can recall him challenging the audience with these words: “If each of you goes back to your country and makes the smallest difference you will be fulfilling my dreams and making my life goal a reality.” Rev. Moon at this time spoke about his life as a child and being misunderstood, going to prison but remaining true to himself.
It was listening to Rev. Moon which helped me to return to St. Lucia to share with the other Ambassadors for Peace the need to commence summer camps under the theme “Fighting HIV/AIDS through Character Building.” I felt and continue to feel that a difference can be made if each one of us becomes an activist for world peace, if we do less criticizing and be more concerned about making a contribution to each other beginning with our families and then helping others. I have had the immense feeling of gratification when friends whom I invited to become Ambassadors for Peace would comment that they have made differences in their lives in the way they responded to others.
I can recall a principal saying to me that “I am no longer impatient with my staff and students. I reflect and handle things differently and this is because I remember that I am an Ambassador for Peace." This can only be credited to the teachings of Rev. Moon, that peace begins with each one of us and this can have its multiplying effect in the way we interact with others. My experiences having met Rev. Moon enriched my life.
I believe that character education is a must in the lives of all, especially our youngest children. I believe that we must model the right behaviors if we want children and others to do the right things. I was honored to be asked to write on character education in one of the publications of Rev. Moon. I can recall journeying to Barbados to be there when Father and Mother Moon journeyed to the Caribbean. It was another momentous period of my life. Regardless of his age, he was always a tower of strength and would not miss a beat as he delivered his message, expounding on the benefits and virtues of a strong family structure if we are to have strong communities and societies.
This is ever so true. If he could not come, he sent his sons and daughters and grandchildren to take the message of peace to the countries. St. Lucia was fortunate to be one of those countries. I feel humbled to have brothers and sisters in Korea, Japan, USA, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and dare I say throughout the world, in the lives of those who were touched by Rev Moon.
I am a better person as a result of having had my life touched by these teachings. Today we mourn the passing of a great teacher, a great leader beyond all measures, a visionary for world peace, yet one who is humble and courageous. His legacy will live on. It is a sad day for me, but an angel has lived among us and sometimes they too must rest. Father Moon has worked hard; may he journey in peace and find abundant rest.
On behalf of all Ambassadors for Peace in St. Lucia, our sympathy goes out to Mother Moon and the entire family of Rev. Moon and by extension the entire family of Ambassadors for Peace. Keep his torch burning, continue working for world peace. Rev. Moon, I will always be grateful to you, I thank you and bid you farewell.
Fortuna Anthony
Former Chief Education Officer, St. Lucia