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W. McDevitt: Address to Interreligious Leadership Conference 2017
Written by Wonju McDevitt, Chief of Staff, Founder’s Secretariat
Friday, November 10, 2017
Address to Interreligious Leadership Conference 2017
Seoul, Korea, November 10 to 14, 2017
Respected religious leaders, Ambassadors for Peace, and distinguished guests from home and abroad, I am deeply honored to be able to speak to you at the welcoming banquet of the Interreligious Leadership Conference, which you will be participating in for the next few days in this blessed land of Korea.
First of all, I would like to welcome you all to Korea on behalf of Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, founder of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF). Korea has been called the “land of the morning calm” from ancient times; yet, we all know that this is no longer the case when we consider the present situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula and the struggle happening centered on the Korean Peninsula between powerful nations, who are trying to gain hegemony based on their national interests.
In response to this situation, Dr. Moon conducted Hopeful March Forward Rallies in Korea, Japan and the United States this year, emphasizing the need to start, centered on the Pacific area, a revolution of the culture of heart based on true love that lives for the sake of others, instead of a civilization that is in conflict and one that takes away from others.
Efforts by the government and political leaders will certainly be essential in achieving this peaceful reunification; however, the role of religious leaders worldwide will be tremendously important as well because spiritual and moral changes alone can bring true permanent peace. It is for this reason that the Interreligious Leadership Conference is being hosted alongside this historic global rally centered on all our peace-loving leaders of different religious groups and the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC).
Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon have always taught that world problems cannot be solved solely based on external solutions, emphasizing the need of an internal approach, particularly stressing that knowing God, who is our Heavenly Parent, His Will and the direction of His Providence, to be essential in resolving world problems.
I would be grateful if you can remember this important fact throughout the conference and the rally tomorrow. All religious leaders and all of you here have an important responsibility that is crucial to the realization of world peace. In this context, Dr. Moon is asking for everyone’s support and active participation in the launching of the new association of religious leaders, which will be held on the last day of the conference, for the development of humanity and world peace.
Together, we can solve the central problems of this age. We can especially solve the breakdown of the family, the destruction of the environment, poverty, starvation, conflict and violence. I would like to thank you once more for coming to Korea at this serious time within the Korean Peninsula and in the world.
Dr. Moon has invited all of you as special guests to the closing banquet that will be held at the Cheonwon Complex on November 13.
I would like to thank you once more for giving me the opportunity to speak in front of everyone gathered here tonight.
To go to the Interreligious Leadership Conference Schedule 2017, click here.