China’s CCRP Delegates Visit Philippines, Tour Mormon Temple Grounds

In continuing to forge interfaith relationship with other faith-based organizations, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted a dialogue meeting with the Chinese delegates of the China Conference on Religion and Peace (CCRP) on 8 December 2017 at the Church’s Manila Philippines Area Office.

The dialogue meeting aimed to introduce CCRP as an interfaith Asian partner to the Uniharmony Partners Manila (UPM), one of the most active faith-based organization in the Philippines. The discussion centered on exploring joint actions to promote stronger relations between religious communities in both countries.

Present in the dialogue meeting were the CCRP China delegates namely Elder Fu Xianwei, Vice President of CCRP and president of the China Three-self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches; Ven. Minghai, Vice President of the China Buddhist Association; Mr. Zhuo Xinping, Director of Institute of World Religions of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Mr. Lacan, Secretary-general of CCRP; Ms. Gao Ye, Director of Administrative Office of CCRP Secretariat; and Ms. Chen Wenjie, staff member of the CCRP Secretariat.

Partners of UPM were also present in the meeting, including Fr. Carlo Reyes, Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue; Fr. Richard Babao, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Ecumenism and Interfaith Affairs of the Archdiocese of Manila; Dr. Potre Diampuan, CEO of Alliance for Halal Integrity in the Philippines Inc. and Regional Coordinator for Southeast Asia and the Pacific of the United Religions Initiative; Dr. Tess Ramiro; Director of the main nonviolence organization in the Philippines, the Aksyon para sa Kapayaan at Katarungan (Action for Peace and Justice); Dr. Cihanger Arslan, President of the Pacific Dialogue Foundation; Dr. Lilian Sison, Dean of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Graduate School, Director of UST Office of International Relations and Programs, and Chairman of Asian Conference of Religions for Peace (ARCP) for Women; Dr. Joan Trocio, faculty member of UST Institute of Religion; and Prof. Bong Baybado, Coordinator of Uniharmony Partners Manila, Associate Secretary General for Religions for Peace Asia (ACRP), and Associate Professor of the University of Santo Tomas – Institute of Religion; and Dr. Macrina Morados, Dean of the University of the Philippines-Institute of Islamic Studies.

Elder Evan A. Schmutz of the Philippines Area Presidency and Elder Randy D. Funk of the Asia Area Presidency both served as hosts in the dialogue meeting.

Following the meeting, UPM partners and CCRP delegates toured the Missionary Training Center (MTC) and the Manila Temple. Elder Raul Villanueva, a member of the Area Seventy; and President Carlos, MTC President, gave a tour of the entire MTC facility, which included the missionary quarters, medical and dental facilities, laundry room, gym, salon, and the NBA-sized basketball court.

Furthermore, guests were given a tour of the Manila Temple Grounds. Elder Schmutz explained the sacredness of the Temple and the reasons the Church build beautiful edifices all around the world.

China Conference on Religion and Peace is the highest interfaith body and is duly recognized by the Chinese Government. CCRP has been one of the key partners of Asian Conference of Religions for Peace in promoting peace and harmony in Asia.