Leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) united with over 700 others at the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast at the Houses of Parliament (June 14). This year’s event, held in Westminster Hall, was chaired by Fiona Bruce MP, a 2015 recipient of the Family Values Award http://www.mormonnewsroom.org.uk/article/leading-christian-mp-and-prominent-members-of-muslim-community-receive-uk-family-values-awards-from-church
Elder Clifford T Herbertson and Sister Julie Herbertson were joined by Mormon interfaith leaders and other Public Affairs representatives at the breakfast which included interdenominational prayers and music. Among the guests were the Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, 150 Parliamentarians and representatives of non-governmental organisations.
The keynote address from His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK, focussed on religious tolerance and the plight of religious minorities in the Middle East, especially persecution of Christians and the wider Christian Church. The Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK is one of 24 stakeholders – including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief https://freedomdeclared.org In his address, Bishop Angaelos said:
“Christians in the Middle East are indigenous people and reject minority status.”
He continued: “As religious and civic leaders, we have an opportunity and responsibility to change the narrative and expectation of the Middle East from one of hopelessness and conflict to one of hope and promise.”
“Regardless of which House one sits in, which Church one worships in, or indeed which faith one does or does not have, we must work together for the freedom and dignity of human life and speak with a collaborative voice.”
"As religious and civic leaders, we have an opportunity and responsibility to change the narrative and expectation of the Middle East from one of hopelessness and conflict to one of hope and promise.”
Bishop Angaelos said that "we need to address the reality of this situation, that there has been a systematic, yet gradual prejudice, marginalisation and alienation of Christians and minorities allowed to continue over decades. This does not have to continue on our watch."
Regardless of persecution, Bishop Angaelos was positive: "The Church is defiant, the Church is resilient, the Church is alive," he said.