BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, joined religious leaders, academics, government officials and civil society representatives for a gathering focused on interfaith cooperation and religious freedom at the offices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Buenos Aires.
The event was organized by the Argentine Council for Religious Freedom, known as CALIR, and brought together representatives from several faith traditions and organizations working to promote religious liberty and dialogue.
Participants discussed the challenges and opportunities facing religious communities and considered ways to strengthen mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and cooperation among people of different beliefs.
Cardinal Koovakad spoke about the importance of interreligious dialogue in helping build societies that are more peaceful, inclusive and respectful of religious and cultural diversity.
The gathering opened with remarks from Dr. David Frol, president of CALIR. Other speakers included Pilar Bosca, director general of religious affairs for the government of the City of Buenos Aires; Elder Alan Walker, president of the South America South Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Dr. Jorge Gentile, a founding member of CALIR.
Discussions during the meeting focused on the role religious communities can play in building trust, defending religious freedom and encouraging cooperation across different traditions.
Among those attending were journalist Hernán Reyes Alcaide; María Eugenia Crespo of the United Religions Initiative; Claudio Epelman of the Latin American Jewish Congress; and Sümeyra Nur Korkut of the Alba Intercultural Dialogue Center.
Members of CALIR’s leadership, representatives of the Interreligious Forum of the Americas and others involved in religious freedom and interfaith work also participated.
Representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints alongside Elder Walker were Elder Mathias Held and Elder Sergio Vargas, members of the South America South Area Presidency.
The gathering concluded with a question-and-answer session between Cardinal Koovakad and participants, providing an opportunity for direct discussion about religious freedom, cooperation and relations among different faith communities.
Organizers said the meeting underscored the importance of creating spaces where people of different religious traditions can meet, better understand one another and work together while maintaining mutual respect for their beliefs.
