Religious Liberty Dinner Highlights Commitment to Freedom of Conscience

24 May 2026

During the event Liberty magazine is recognized for its 120 years of advocacy.

Christelle Agboka, North American Division News

Orlan Johnson, North American Division Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director, addresses guests at the nineteenth annual Religious Liberty Dinner on April 22. [Photo: Art Brondo, NAD]


The North American Division’s (NAD) nineteenth annual Religious Liberty Dinner, held on April 22 in the James Madison Memorial Building at the Library of Congress, championed freedom of conscience as a core human right. Overlooking the gathering, a statue honoring Madison, the fourth United States president and key architect of constitutional religious freedom rights, visually reinforced the evening’s theme.

Hosted by the NAD Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department and Liberty magazine, the dinner brought together 90 religious liberty advocates, faith representatives, government officials, academics, Washington Adventist University honors students, Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders, and other guests.

In his welcome, Orlan Johnson, NAD PARL director, underscored the significance of the gathering. “For nearly two decades this event has served as a space where people of diverse beliefs, backgrounds, and perspectives can come together in unity,” he said.

Attendees greet one another during the North American Division’s nineteenth annual Religious Liberty Dinner. [Photo: Art Brondo, NAD]

Johnson reminded attendees that, globally, many people do not have the freedom to worship—or not worship—as they see fit, ending with an appeal for ongoing advocacy: “Let tonight be more than a dinner.”


Celebrating 120 Years of Liberty Magazine

A highlight of the evening was the official recognition of the 120-year anniversary of Liberty magazine by United States representative Jamie Raskin, who represents Maryland’s eighth congressional district. Notably, the magazine was founded in Takoma Park, Raskin’s hometown and part of his congressional district.

In brief remarks, Raskin praised Liberty magazine for helping keep alive what he called “the founding and most revolutionary principle of our Constitution”—the separation of church and state. He then presented Bettina Krause, Liberty editor and NAD PARL associate director, with a certificate honoring the magazine’s “120 years of zealously championing the separation of church and state, the precondition for freedom and progress in American life.”

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department

General Conference Session 2025

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About PARL

What We Do

Meeting Government Leaders

The Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department maintains relations with governments and international organizations. It represents the world church in meeting officials around the world and monitoring the state of religious freedom. In this work, the Department works closely with the General Conference President and appropriate commissions. Under the supervision of the General Conference Protocol Committee, the PARL Department organizes the visits of heads of state, government ministers, ambassadors and other officials to the world headquarters and during the General Conference world session and other church meetings.

United Nations

Seventh-day Adventists have been active at the United Nations since its inception. Adventist leaders Dr. Jean Nussbaum and Dr. Bert Beach met with American First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to discuss religious freedom issues at the founding of the UN. Dr. Gianfranco Rossi represented the church to the United Nations for many years and was involved in the wording of the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.

Today Dr. Nelu Burcea represents the Seventh-day Adventist Church at the UN in both New York and Geneva. The primary focus of the church’s efforts is religious freedom for all, though the church is also active in a number of other areas. The Adventist Church maintains an office across the street from the United Nations headquarters in New York, and Dr. Burcea attends the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland to represent Church views.

Nelu Burcea Elected as GC Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director

General Conference
Nelu Burcea Elected as GC Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director

Religious freedom expert to lead global advocacy and church–state relations.
July 8, 2025

United States
ANN

Nelu Burcea elected as GC Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director during the 62nd GC Session in St. Louis, Missouri.


Nelu Burcea has been elected to serve as director of General Conference Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) for the 2025–2030 term during the 62nd General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Since joining the General Conference in 2015, Burcea has led efforts to strengthen the church’s relationships with international institutions and to represent the Adventist Church and the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) on the global stage. He brings to the PARL role a deep commitment to mission, paired with extensive academic and administrative experience.

Previously, Burcea served as director of communication and PARL for the Adventist Church in Romania and as director of the Romanian Adventist Media Center, which includes Speranța TV and Voice of Hope radio. An ordained pastor, he has led evangelistic campaigns across Europe and the United States.

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Pray for Dr Ganoune Diop - GC PARL Director

23 MAY 2024

BUC COMMUNICATIONS

ADVENTIST.UK
NEWS

PRAY FOR DR GANOUNE DIOP - GC PARL DIRECTOR

The British Union Conference (BUC) invites you to join the Adventist World Church in prayer for Dr Ganoune Diop, whose hospitalisation for cardiac treatment comes as a shock to us at the BUC. Dr Diop was recently here in the UK to conduct a Public Affairs and Religious Liberty programme for the BUC at Hinckley nearly two weeks ago, blessing those who attended with his insightful presentations. GC President Ted Wilson shared the following words for our collective prayers.

Dr Ganoune Diop, General Conference Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director, was admitted to the hospital on May 16, 2024. He is being treated in an intensive care unit for a cardiac ailment of uncertain cause. He is receiving excellent, state-of-the art medical treatment.

The Diop family have shared that Pastor Diop's condition is currently stable and includes certain surgical procedures that have been performed.

Pr Ted Wilson thanks the world church family for your prayers of intercession on behalf of a complete recovery for Dr Diop.

We ask everyone to earnestly pray for the entire Diop family and for Pastor Diop's healing and complete restoration by the Master Physician.

GC Communication Department

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Ganoune Diop: Some SDA Are Violent & Are T3rrorist5.Ted Wilson Approves T...

U.N. Trying To Push Religious Communities To ‘Fully Comply’ With LGBTQ Agenda

U.N. Trying To Push Religious Communities To ‘Fully Comply’ With LGBTQ Agenda

February 7, 2023 NewsHound




The United Nations is releasing a report in June regarding the “perceived contradictions” between religious freedom and sexual orientation and gender identity, or SOGI, laws and is looking to push governments to “fully comply with their obligations under international human rights law to protect and empower LGBT+ persons,” according to a U.N. announcement.

The U.N. closed a call for LGBT+ and religious freedom organizations to submit input to the report earlier this month and is scheduled to introduce its findings at the 53rd Human Rights Council meeting in June, according to the announcement. The announcement explains that while there are “perceived contradictions” between the LGBT+ community and religious freedom, the report aims to find ways to “protect LGBT+ persons’ access to faith and spirituality” while also indicating that religious beliefs that would contradict this are not “justified” under the protection of human rights.

“Religious and spiritual narratives have also historically been used to promote, enable, and condone institutional and personal violence and discrimination against individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity (real or presumed); repress sexual and gender diversity; and promote cis-gendered and heteronormative norms of sexual orientation and gender identity,” the announcement read. “These practices cannot be justified under the rubric of Freedom of Religious Beliefs, or indeed any other human right, to circumvent and defeat the rights of marginalized populations.”

Any organization that wished to comment for the inquiry was tasked with keeping their comments to a minimum of 2,500 words and providing answers to 11 questions on religious freedom and the rights of the LGBT+ community, according to the announcement. Respondents were asked whether or not any religious beliefs and LGBT+ rights were “mutually exclusive,” to point out policies that protect discriminatory religious practices and about the extent to which religious individuals have the right to a conscientious objection.

The U.N. didn’t disclose who commented ahead of the report’s release, but two organizations publicly published their comments for the inquiry, focusing on their concerns about the impact on the religious community. The Religious Freedom Institute and the Heritage Foundation’s comments worried that the special inquiry would “undermine” and result in the “politicization” of religious freedom as a human right.

We reached out to the Seventh-day Adventist PARL department, to see if they submitted concerns to the UN. No response yet.

Observations

The United Nations increasingly sees LGBTQ rights (agenda) and religious convictions as being in conflict. Their default position is the elevation of human rights (ie. LGBTQ) over biblical morality.

Reports like the one from the U.N. are based on a “narrative” that “religion is an oppressor and that religious freedom can be weaponized to harm others.”

This narrative is not only harmful because it could make people doubt the importance of religion in their own lives and their communities, but it’s also harmful because it will undermine important social protection.

Religion and religious freedom is a stabilizing presence, and for the cases where religion is being misused to oppress (ie Islam etc), the answer isn’t to shut down religion entirely.

The United Nations position is that religious and spiritual narratives have historically been used to promote discrimination against individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity (real or presumed); repress sexual and gender diversity; and promote cisgendered and heteronormative norms of sexual orientation and gender identity. This has resulted in a variety of discriminatory normative constructions reinforced over time. In other words, the Bible premise of male and female uniting in marriage for life and producing children in that union is discriminatory towards sexual confusion and deviancy. Yes it is. Delightfully so.

The United Nations is three parts incompetent and one part corrupt, yet the GC PARL Department still trusts them.

Our PARL department director’s affinity for the United Nations could result in him being conflicted by such pro-LGBTQ initiatives from the UN. He is also deeply embedded in ecumenical initiatives — in our opinion, dangerously so.. He may have to choose whether to follow the Bible or the United Nations. It can’t be both.

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Refusing to Be Silent in the Face of Evil

[Photo Courtesy of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists]

GENERAL CONFERENCE

Refusing to Be Silent in the Face of Evil

PARL recognizes individuals for their advocacy for religious liberty in their community
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES | ANGELICA SANCHEZ, ANNJUNE 16, 2022


“Silence in the face of evil is not neutrality, it’s complicity.”1 Proponents of human rights and justice, the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) department of the General Conference (GC) of Seventh-Day Adventists is anything but complacent. With enduring commitment, PARL works endlessly as a beacon of peace, advocating for religious liberty throughout the global community. PARL “serves as a department of foreign affairs,” said Director of PARL, Ganoune Diop. It “seeks to provide the Seventh-day Adventist church with visibility, credibility, trust, and relevance in the public space which includes people of influence, government officials, and decision makers.”

In partnership with church departments, community leaders, lawmakers, state leaders, public officials, national institutions like the United Nations, and PARL leaders in the 13 church divisions throughout the world, PARL is also an active advocate for public policy issues. Several issues include health, education, environmental conservation, women and children’s rights, the rights of prisoners, aid, and development. In addition, they focus on promoting the good reputation of the mission and identity of the Adventist church.

On Thursday afternoon, at the 61st GC Session in St. Louis, Missouri, PARL hosted a luncheon to “strengthen relationships between PARL directors and engage with public officials and key religious leaders,” said PARL Associate Director Jennifer Woods. Special guests who were present and acknowledged at the luncheon, representing some of the meaningful connections PARL has made with influential representatives across the globe were the Secretary of the Global Christian Forum Dr. Casely Essamuah, Salvation Army Representative Colonel Kenneth Johnson, Baptist World Alliance Representative Rev. Everton Jackson, Adventist Senator Damaris Moura Kuo from Brazil, Adventist member of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Zambia the Honorable Palan Mulonda, Adventist Retired Senator the Honorable Floyd Morris from Jamaica, and Adventist Philippine Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Bienvenido V. Tejano.

In his opening remarks to attendees, President of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church, Ted N.C. Wilson stated, “What a privilege for Seventh-Day Adventists and other Christians to be epistles of Christ, representatives of the highest Authority of the universe”. He later elaborated that faithful service and representation of Christ involves the constant battle for religious freedom, justice, and liberty of conscience.

Though not a simple task, many have supported PARL in this endeavor. As a result, Diop awarded several individuals for their “choice to serve in the public arena,” acknowledging their “commitment and conviction to advocating for religious liberty.”

The individuals awarded were Wilson, recently retired PARL Director for the Inter-American Division James Daniel, GC General Counsel and International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) Legal Advisor Karnik Doukmetzian, Former PARL Director for the South American Division Dr. Helio Carnassale, and GC Associate Treasurer Daisy Orion. Senator Damaris Moura Kuo was also acknowledged for her work in promoting religious liberty and her help in passing the first religious freedom legislation in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

PARL is not only an advocate for human rights but is also a light in the world. Wilson reminded attendees, “As we understand the aspects of dealing with religious leaders and government officials, it is a great privilege for each of us to not only officially represent our church but in a more personal way, to actually be a living letter written by God as a commendation to all who we meet.” He added, “Each of us are ambassadors for Christ.”

PARL strives to be an active representation of the love of Christ to the world. In fact, through its collaboration with other divisions, PARL has managed to play an influential role in the liberation of imprisoned Adventists worldwide. “We strive to position the church as a credible blessing to the world. Without credibility, the world will not listen to us,” said Diop. Diop elaborated further, “We are part of a movement that is preparing the world and the church for the second coming of Christ. For this reason, showing what the church can offer the world is at the heart of my passion.”

The fight for peace, justice, and religious liberty is not meant to be fought by PARL alone, it is to be the mission of the World Church as a response to God’s command in Isaiah 58 to “shout aloud against the exploitation of the vulnerable.”2 In his concluding remarks, Diop passionately exhorted, “Wherever God places you, remember that you are connected with the One who is superior – the Creator of heaven and earth. He has placed you where you are to bless others.”

For more information on PARL, to become involved, and to learn how their work can help you, visit https://www.adventistliberty.org.

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1adventistliberty.org

2https://www.adventistliberty.org/method

Source: Adventist News Network

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Exploring Vaccines, Freedom and Loving Our Neighbour

The Adventist health message and vaccination - is not a case of either or.

NEWSJANUARY 21, 2022

21 January 2022 | St Albans, UK [David Neal with Vanesa Pizzuto]

In a COVID-19 symposium hosted by The Trans-European Division (TED) leadership, professionals from different disciplines answered key questions about the coronavirus pandemic, personal liberties, and the use of vaccines.

The 19th of January symposium, “Vaccines, Freedom and Loving Our Neighbour” was broadcast via the TED YouTube channel, with over 400 viewers watching live and nearly 3,000 more views at the time of writing. Four presentations were given by two medical doctors, a theologian, and an attorney, followed by eighty minutes for questions and answers.

 

Ganoune Diop, PhD, director of the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, explored the nature and scope of religious freedom. While explicitly supporting individual choices, Diop stated that “personal conviction is not corporate responsibility” and called the COVID-19 pandemic “a public health issue, a life and death issue… not one of religious liberty”. Diop spent the last part of his presentation debunking common myths about the vaccine. “To reduce the mark of the beast to a vaccine is simply sacrilegious,” said Diop who also called people not to “weaponize vaccination” and to respect those we disagree with.

Attorney Jennifer Woods, PARL associate director at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, explored the history of vaccination and its importance in eradicating diseases. Woods also discussed vaccination mandates and the tension between protecting individual liberties and public health. “To ethically justify mandates, the benefits must outweigh the risks,” said she. Wood concluded her presentation reflecting on why some vaccine objections aren’t a religious liberty issue and why Christians should be careful when considering this matter.

Adventists caution about threat to T&T’s religious liberty

Published:
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Yvonne Baboolal

Attorney Randolph Hector talks on religious liberty at the Tacarigua SDA church last Saturday.


As the Government sets the stage for constitutional reform, the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) church is urging its membership to be mindful of any possible changes that may be made in the area of religious liberty. The reminder is coming from the church’s Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Association (PARL). The association sent out a media release earlier this week on the celebration of PARL Day last Saturday by SDA churches across T&T.

Oswald J Pierre, PARL leader of the Tacarigua church and Assistant Secretary General of the Caribbean Religious Liberty Association (CARLA) told the T&T Guardian religious liberty and the freedom to worship according to one’s faith is enshrined in T&T’s Constitution. Based on global trends, however, he is warning local members to be watchful of any coming changes.

Pierre recalled that in the 1800s there was an attempt in the US to establish a national Sunday law but it was defeated. He warned there is another attempt to institute the law which will affect SDA members whose Sabbath day is Saturday. “While there is no threat to religious liberty in T&T, in the US there is a push to change the constitution to allow churches and religious organisations more control,” he observed.

Pierre said there was a religious liberty threat in Barbados recently but it was resolved with the Shop Steward Act. He said even in T&T, SDA members have reported of instances where their constitutionally enshrined freedom to worship on Saturdays was under threat. Arouca/Maloney MP Alicia Charles, who attended the Tacarigua SDA church’s celebration of PARL Day last Saturday reminded the congregation of the tremendous blessings of religious liberty and the provisions in T&T’s Constitution that allow freedom of worship for all.

Source

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ADVENTISTS OFFER CONDOLENCES FOR COPTIC POPE

Photo Source: CTV News

21 Mar, 2012By ANN staff

Leaders from the Seventh-day Adventist world church’s department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty offered condolences to the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria on the passing of Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and the Patriarch of All Africa on the Holy Apostolic See of Saint Mark the Evangelist of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria.

Military police and mourners surround the ambulance carrying the coffin of Pope Shenouda iii, the head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, upon its arrival for burial at St Bishoy Monastery in Wadi Al Natrun.

Photo courtesy: Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Shenouda died on Saturday at age 88 after serving four decades as patriarch.

"The Public Affairs and Religious Liberty department offers its condolences to the Coptic Christians of Egypt, and to the people of Egypt for the passing away of Pope Shenouda III,” said John Graz, the Adventist Church’s PARL director.

John Graz, the Adventist Church’s Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director.

“Seventh-day Adventists hope the new leader of the Coptic Christian Church, the recognized Christian Church in Egypt, will favor good relations with the entire Christian family in Egypt in its diversity and be an instrument for peace and religious freedom,” Graz said.

Graz called Shenouda a “strong leader,” recognizing his love of Egypt and devotion to national unity. Graz also noted Shenouda’s courage. He fell out of favor with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, who in 1981 banished Shenouda to a desert monastery. He was reinstated four years later by Egypt’s then new President Hosni Mubarak.

Relations between Shenouda and the Adventist Church were sometimes tense. In 2003 he publically attacked Seventh-day Adventists for “disrupting unity.”

Still, Graz commended Shenouda for maintaining positive relations with Muslims. Christians and other religious minorities have increasingly suffered attacks since the overthrow of the Mubarak administration.

Source: http://record.net.au/items/adventist-leaders-offer-condolences-on-death-of-coptic-pope

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