Trump includes hierarch of Constantinople in Religious Liberty Commission
Trump and Archbishop Elpidophoros. Photo: Elpidophoros’s Facebook
Donald Trump included the head of the Archdiocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the United States, Archbishop Elpidophoros, in the Advisory Board of Religious Leaders for President Donald J. Trump’s newly established Religious Liberty Commission, as reported on the hierarch's Facebook. The Commission, created by executive order on May 1, 2025, aims to advise the federal government on safeguarding and promoting religious freedom across the United States.
In response to his appointment, Archbishop Elpidophoros stated: “Religious liberty is a cornerstone of our nation, and I look forward to contributing to efforts that promote understanding, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence among all faiths. This mission aligns closely with the vision of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who has long advocated for ecumenical dialogue and reconciliation.”
The Advisory Council of Religious Leaders also includes representatives from various religious denominations, including Catholic bishops, Protestant pastors, and rabbis. Among them are: Bishop Salvatore Cordileone – Archbishop of San Francisco and member of the USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth; Pastor Jentezen Franklin – Senior Pastor of Free Chapel, a multi-campus church based in Gainesville, Georgia, Father Thomas Ferguson – Pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Alexandria, Virginia, Rabbi Mark Gottlieb – Chief Education Officer of Tikvah and founding dean of the Tikvah Scholars Program; Pastor Jack Graham – Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, Rabbi Yaakov Menken – Executive Vice President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, Bishop Thomas Paprocki – Bishop of Springfield, Illinois and other religious figures.
The Commission is chaired by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, with Dr. Ben Carson serving as vice chair. The commission’s tasks include producing a comprehensive report on the foundations of religious liberty in America, identifying current threats to religious freedom, and recommending strategies to preserve and enhance protections for future generations. The Commission will also advise the White House Faith Office and the Domestic Policy Council on religious-liberty policies.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Trump signed an executive order creating the Commission on Religious Freedom.
Read also
OCU thanks Novovolynsk mayor for transporting people to Dumenko's "service"
Supporters of the OCU sent gratitude to Mayor Borys Karpus for providing transportation to the Holy Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr.
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy comments on seizure in Kuzmyn
The seizure of the UOC church in Kuzmyn was based on forged documents about changing jurisdiction to the OCU.
Restoration of St Florus Convent: Former KCSA official reported suspicion
A former deputy general director of the Kyiv Scientific and Methodological Center for the Protection and Restoration of Monuments is suspected of embezzling 660 thousand hryvnias of budget funds.
Meeting of UOC Synodal Commission on canonization held in Kyiv
A meeting of the Synodal Commission of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, dedicated to the consideration of issues related to canonization, was held at the Presentation (Vvedensky) Monastery in Kyiv.
Archaeologists uncover 4th-century Christian church complex near Rome
In the ancient port city of Ostia near Rome, archaeologists have uncovered a large early Christian complex with a church and bishop's palace dating back to the 4th century.
Vance praises Georgian patriarch's work
The U.S. vice president spoke positively about the role of the primate of the Georgian Church in preserving Christian values in the country.