Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia
The Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia was founded in April 2006 in order to build relationships of mutual support, offer a moral and spiritual voice in the region, and identify issues of local concern for dialogue and action. Co-convened by Archbishop Nelsen Pérez, Rabbi David Straus, Imam Anwar Muhaimin, and Bishop Daniel Gutiérrez, the Council is the first of its kind in the city, with more than 30 member communities, representing more than two million people of diverse faith traditions from across the greater Philadelphia region.
Religious Leaders Council Members
Co-Conveners
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
The Rt. Rev. Daniel Gutiérrez, Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
Imam Anwar Muhaimin - Quba Masjid
Rabbi David Straus - Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
Members:
Bishop Julius McAllister, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Imam Mohamed Shehata, Al-Aqsa Islamic Society
Kavneet Singh Pannu, American Sikh Council
Bishop J. Louis Felton, Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity
Rabbi Beth Janus, Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia
Bishop Guy Glimp, Church of God in Christ
Rabbi Yosef Zarnighian, Congregation Mikveh Israel
Bishop Peter Hwang, Council of Korean Churches of Greater Philadelphia
Rabbi Eli Freedman, Delaware Valley Association of Reform Rabbis
Bishop John Schol, Eastern Penn Conference, United Methodist Church
Dr. Gity Etemad, Greater Philadelphia Bahá’í Community
The Very Rev. Archimandrite Avgoustinos Psomas, Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America
Rev. Luis Cortés, Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity
Rev. Edward Livingston, Interfaith Philadelphia
Dr. Tahir Wyatt, Majlis Ash Shura of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley
Rev. Dr. Calenthia Dowdy, Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia
Imam Muhammad Miller, Mosque of Shaikh M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen
Rev. William Worley, Pennsylvania Southeast Conference, United Church of Christ
Archbishop Mary Floyd Palmer, Philadelphia Council of Clergy
Rev. Terry Davis, Philadelphia Gospel Movement
Dr. Wilson Goode, Philadelphia Leadership Foundation
Christie Duncan-Tessmer, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace, Presbytery of Philadelphia
Rabbi Abe Friedman, Rabbinical Assembly, Philadelphia Region
Rabbi Shawn Zevit, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association
Fr. Mina Mina, St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church in Delaware
Lt. Colonel Larry Ashcraft, Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware
Bishop Patricia Davenport, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ECLA
President Kim McNaughton, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia
Rev. Kevin Jagoe, Unitarian Universalist Association, Central Eastern Region
Rev. Dr. Hojin Park, Won Institute of Graduate Studies
Interfaith Prayer Service of Mayor Cherelle Parker, February 20, 2024
On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia held an interfaith prayer service for Mayor Cherell Parker and Members of Philadelphia City Council. More than 300 people were in attendance. The prayer service included scripture readings from the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faith traditions. Attendees recited a pledge written by the Religious Leaders Council entitled "A Call from People of Faith to Stop Violence." Participants also lighted candles to visually welcome the light of peace into our community.
Media Coverage (February 2024)
February 20, 2024
Catholic Philly | February 18, 2024
T 62 Filadelfia | February 20, 2024
Interfaith Prayer Service for Mayor Parker held at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
WHYY Radio | February 20, 2024
Mayor Cherelle Parker makes passionate plea to Philadelphia religious leaders
3 CBS Philadelphia | February 20, 2024
Mayor Parker Set to Speak at Interfaith Prayer Service
3 CBS Philadelphia | February 20, 2024
Interfaith Prayer Service for Mayor Parker held at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
6 ABC Action News | February 20, 2023
Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia holds an interfaith prayer service for Mayor Parker
Philadelphia Tribune | February 20, 2024
ASC Interfaith Event at the Archdiocese, Philadelphia on Feb 12, 2024
Pakistan Christian Post | February 20, 2024
Interfaith leaders pray for the success of Parker administration as it tackles Philly’s most pressing issues
KYW Radio | February 21, 2023
Archbishop Pérez, Religious Leaders Gather for Prayer Service for the Intention of Mayor Parker
Catholic Philly | February 23, 2024
Since its inception, the Council’s focus has been to identify ways in which its members’ communities can come together to address the city’s growing epidemic of violence, to appeal for the respect and dignity of all persons, and to invigorate our region's leaders to lift up those most in need of support and prayer.
Highlights of the Council’s work have included Interfaith Inaugural Prayer Gatherings for Mayors Michael Nutter and Jim Kenney, an Interfaith Memorial Prayer Service honoring the tenth anniversary of 9/11, and other interfaith gatherings during times of particular need in the city.
In these efforts, the Council has issued a jointly-created Pledge for Peace; a Call for Civility in Political Discourse; a letter re: 2022 Mass Shootings in the U.S.; public policy statements on the Murder of George Floyd; Illegal Possession of Guns, Immigration Reform, Anti-Islamic Advertising Campaign in Philadelphia, and the Syrian Refugee Crisis; and press releases following acts of hate and vandalism at a local mosque and Jewish cemetery.
Through its community-wide initiative, Zones of Peace, the Council has committed the resources of its congregations, members, and rich religious traditions to carrying through the mission of creating a Philadelphia region free from fear, filled with respect, and marked by deeds of kindness.
Signature Initiative: Zones of Peace
Zones of Peace is a region-wide interfaith movement of churches, synagogues, mosques, other houses of worship, schools, and community-based organizations working to address the root causes of violence and make us safer in the communities where we live, work, and play. Zones of Peace recognizes organizations that are pioneering creative responses to violence and elevates their leadership.