Trump includes hierarch of Constantinople in Religious Freedom Commission
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has joined the Advisory Board of Religious Leaders for the newly established commission created by the U.S. President’s executive order.
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.
