By Staff Writer
Joint Assembly of Pastors from Five Countries recently held, has echoed challenges Christians face and petitioned the Korea Government to constitutionally guarantees religious freedom and the principle of separation of religion and state to be completely
reinforced.
The Joint Assembly of Pastors from Five Countries brought together participants from the United States, Sri Lanka, Brazil, India, and Liberia, under the theme “Human Rights, Religious Freedom and the Essence of Faith.”
Their get-together reflected on the challenges
facing Christianity present-day, revisit the essence of their faith and explore
the future of Christianity and the direction of reform. They called on the Government of the Republic
Of Korea to constitutionally guarantee religious freedom and the principle of
separation of religion and state to be entirely supported.
However, the issues of human rights
and religious freedom, with particular attention to the current issues concerning
religion and human rights being raise in the Republic of Korea were
highlighted. As a result, there are growing calls in the Republic of Korea and
parts of the world for the constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and
the principle.
Mostly,
national rallies opposing legislation concerning the dissolution of religious
corporations, along with joint statements issued by religious leaders, have
continued. In recent months, concerns have also been raised by religious and
human rights communities both in Korea and abroad regarding investigations and
measures taken by government agencies concerning Shincheonji Church of Jesus and
Chairman Lee Man-hee.
“This is not an issue concerning any
particular denomination or religion alone. It is an issue that concerns all of
us: what kind of relationship should exist between the state and religion, and
how can we protect the religious freedom and human rights that every faith
community rightfully deserves?” the pastors asked, demonstrating commitment to
their faith.
The united global pastors
historicized the role of the church, saying the Church has served as a refuge
of freedom and human rights for those suffering under power and oppression.
“Therefore, in
the face of realities where religious freedom and the essence of faith are
threatened, we pastors must not remain silent. We must raise our voices for
truth and justice,” they said. “Following
the teachings of Jesus, putting freedom, peace, and justice into practice is
the sacred mission entrusted to us.”
Since the first World Pastors’ Joint
Assembly held on August 13, 2026, activities and developments have been taken
place in various countries as well as on-site events. At the First Assembly,
pastors and religious leaders from various countries around the world came
together and raised their voices in support of the shared values of religious
freedom and human rights. Events that have been taken place in New York,
Chicago, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Liberia were briefly introduced through
power point presentation sharing.
In New York,
the United States of America, approximately 60 people attended in person,
including 12 religious leaders representing various Christian denominations.
The pastors who attended prayed and shared their perspectives together,
transcending differences in denomination and background. All 12 religious
leaders personally signed a joint statement calling for the protection of
religious freedom and human rights.
Meanwhile, one
pastor in particular emphasized the importance of unity among pastors, saying, “If
even one or two people are not free, then none of us are truly free.” Following
the first session, everyone gathered for a time of prayer and expressed their
hope that this meeting would not be a one-time event, but would serve as an opportunity to connect with even more churches and pastors in the future.
For Chicago, United States of America, a total
of 111 people attended the First Joint Assembly. In precise, there were
continued calls for people to recognize and unite with one another as fellow
believers in Christ, transcending differences of race and denomination.
One pastor
said, “Events like this are essential because they demonstrate our support for
believers around the world, “and
expressed his desire to host such an event himself in the future.
However in Brazil, many pastors also
joined both online and in person, reflected deeply on religious freedom and
human rights. One pastor emphasized that religious freedom is not a privilege
granted only to certain individuals, but a fundamental right that must be
guaranteed so that everyone can profess their faith without persecution or
discrimination.
After learning
about the situations in different countries around the world, one pastor who
attended in-person expressed his commitment to pray and stand in solidarity
even more strongly for pastors around the world, saying, “We are stronger when
we stand together.”
However,
during recent Joint Assembly of Pastors from Five Countries in the New York,
six speakers spoke separately.
Pastor Marc Thompson of Mattituck Unity
Baptist Church in the Bronx, New York, United States of America, delivered the
first keynote speech, by reading Amos 4:24 which says, “But let justice roll on
like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.”
He said that
the background and meaning of the verse reminds justice should not be occasional or selective,
but should continually shape how people, leaders, churches, and communities
across the globe work together.
“Justice should be upheld and practiced by churches
throughout the world,” Pastor Thompson said. “Today, I am saddened as I think
about 96-year-old Chairman Lee, who is currently incarcerated, and the concerns
that have been raised regarding his treatment and religious freedom. From
different parts of the world, many of us are looking at his situation and
asking whether justice is being fairly applied?”
In a prayerful tone, he
said a ”Real Church” would stand up, offer its support, and say, “Enough is
enough. Let Chairman Lee go.”
He continued that the
Bible teaches us that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person
avails much, and that those who endure must remain faithful to the end, urging the
Real Church would stand up and declare that justice must be fairly applied to
every religious leader. No one should be silenced simply because of their
faith, the way they pray, or the way they interpret Scripture. Adding that the Real Church in New York,
Brazil, Africa, India, and countless other parts of the world would stand
together on behalf of Chairman Lee and in defense of religious freedom., and must understand that standing up means taking
action. It means doing something constructive to bring about change and help
produce a positive outcome in what we believe to be an unjust situation.
Religious freedom must apply even when a person’s beliefs are different from
our own or when the situation is taking place far beyond our own neighborhoods.
“At 95 years old, he has been incarcerated in
South Korea because of his beliefs in Christ. When I heard his testimony, it
changed and touched my heart. It changed my mind and helped me see the signs of
the times in which we are living today,” Pastor Lucilla Richards-Seaton of
Power, Prayer and Praise Ministries said. “As God’s people, we have to
fight for our religious beliefs, as well as the beliefs of others, including
those outside the United States and in other countries. We, as God’s people, have to come together in solidarity, no matter what our differences are in the
kingdom.” She publicized urging Christians worldwide, saying “We have to begin
to protect our rights and the rights of others”
In continuance of the
speakers’ action, Pastor Fabricio Leonardo Vasconcelos of the Apostolic
Cathedral of the Miracles of Jesus Christ said, “Today, as the pastor of the
Apostolic Cathedral of the Miracles of Jesus Christ, I would like to set aside,
for a moment, long-standing denominational conflicts to raise an important
issue.” He added that the State should not interfere in religion; yet, what we
currently see happening in various parts of the world is the State directly
persecuting the church.”
In furtherance, the prelate said that the
State must ensure that the law and legal procedures are duly observed, rather
than using public power to oppress and persecute a church or its leader. He said South Korea is a respected democratic
republic, but recently “we have witnessed severe persecution against two
churches: the Unification Church and the Shincheonji Church.”
For instance, in November
2019, the Shincheonji Church announced that over one hundred thousand people
had completed the course at the Zion Christian Mission Center. This large-scale
growth sparked significant persecution from the Korean religious community—leaders
who often have ties to the political establishment. Consequently, in February
2020, when the country’s COVID-19 outbreak was maliciously linked to
Shincheonji—creating a storm of controversy—it triggered an intense public
backlash. People acted as if the church were to blame for the deaths; this was
an absurdity that manipulated public opinion—a situation we understand well, as
something similar occurred in Brazil. A public petition demanding the forced
closure of the Shincheonji Church gathered over 500,000 signatures—fueled by
outrage over media manipulation regarding the COVID issue—a figure that later
surpassed the one-million mark. Calls for the imprisonment of Chairman Lee
Man-hee followed.
However, subsequent court
rulings demonstrated why public opinion should not supersede judicial judgment.
The Supreme Court of the Republic of Korea has upheld the acquittal of Chairman
Lee Man-hee regarding charges of violating the Infectious Disease Control and
Prevention Act in connection with COVID-19. Currently, Church Chairman Lee
Man-hee—at 95 years of age—has been placed in pre-trial detention.
“This occurred before the
false accusations against him could even be adjudicated—specifically, the claim
that he forced members to join a right-wing party opposed to the left-wing party
of Korea’s current president,” he noted.
“Today, I speak with a heavy heart about a
95-year-old religious leader in the Republic of Korea who is being held in
detention while awaiting trial, without having received a final guilty
verdict,” Pastor Subhash Chandra Yadav of the Assembly Builders
Church said. “This case raises broader questions about
freedom of religion, due process, and human dignity”
”I stand before you today not only as a
minister from Sri Lanka. I also stand as a witness to the global challenges
facing people of faith. I stand
together with others to protect religious freedom in my country and around the
world,” Pastor
Krishani Asangika Perera, of the
Yeshuwa’s Battle Army said. “We are
living in a serious time. Governments
are beginning to become involved in and influence matters of faith.”
However, the
prelate said that when the protection of religious freedom is weakened by those
in power, “I know better than anyone what kind of tragedy can happen next.”
“I feel deep sympathy regarding the detention
and religious pressure faced by Chairman Lee Man-hee of Shincheonji in South Korea today. On behalf of the global church and
pastors around the world, I want to declare our strong solidarity,” the Pastor
informed. “Looking beyond national borders, the lifelong work of Chairman Lee
Man-hee is a great testimony for world peace.”
However, Chairman Lee Man-hee as the Chairman of HWPL, a
global peace organisation, has travelled
around the world tirelessly, dedicating
himself to ending war and bringing harmony among people of different religions,
and has continued his work even at his old age
.
“History has shown us the serious consequences
that can arise when state power intervenes excessively in matters of individual
conscience and faith,” Pastor Joe D. Kerkulah of God Fellowship International Ministries, Liberia, said. “When the
enforcement of the law and religious freedom come into conflict, an even more
careful and balanced judgment is required. I am particularly deeply concerned
about the detention of Chairman Lee Man-hee, an elderly religious leader.”
He concomitantly called for serious consideration
in the potential impact that prolonged detention in a restrictive environment
can have on the health and life of an elderly person.
Therefore, he
added that if the necessity of detention has not been sufficiently established,
including concerns such as flight risk or the possibility of destroying
evidence, alternative measures like investigation and trial without detention,
or bail, should be actively considered from a humanitarian perspective.
“Nor should anyone face undue pressure or
discrimination from the state simply because of their religious beliefs,” the
Liberian Prelate said. “Let us overcome
the boundaries of denomination, doctrine, nationality, and culture and work
together to protect the universal values of human dignity and religious
freedom.”
The global pastors stated that the Joint Assembly of Pastors from Five Countries will continue with the second, third, fourth, and subsequent assemblies, and expressed their hope that even more pastors will participate in the future.
