Bishop William E. Swing, founder and President of the United Religions Initiative came to New York to meet with funders from major foundations. He had one free afternoon on March 24th for meetings at the United Nations. The person I most wanted for the Bishop was to meet the President of the UN General Assembly, a wonderful priest from Nicaragua named Fr. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, but he was only scheduled for an appointment with his Deputy Chef de Cabinet, Amb. Sofia Clark.

First the Bishop had lunch in the lovely Delegates Dining Room with some of the UN personnel who work regularly with religious NGOs (non-governmental organizations): Stephen Hanmer of UNICEF, Jim Sniffen of the UN Environment Programme, and Thomas Uthup of the newest of the UN initiatives, the Alliance of Civilizations. The Bishop explained the purpose and history of the URI, and he learned about the different ways to partner with these various agencies. 

Outside the Delegates Dining Room after lunch, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon suddenly appeared. He smiled and broke ranks to come over to say hello to Bishop Swing and take a photo together, surely a most auspicious sign for the future of the URI at the United Nations.

At office of the President of the General Assembly, Amb. Clark. announced that “The Father” wanted to meet the Bishop! It turned out that Fr. d’Escoto and Bishop Swing were both ordained 48 years ago in the month of June. They bonded beautifully. The Bishop recounted how the URI was born, and there was a brief discussion about the URI and the theme of reconciliation, which is dear to Fr. d’Escoto’s heart. Deborah Moldow of URI-UN presented Fr. d'Escoto with a desktop Peace Pole with the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in Spanish and English.

As the Bishop continued his meeting with Amb. Sofia Clark, someone appeared with a message: Fr. d’Escoto wanted the Bishop to come back into his office. He had just named two special representatives to recommend changes to the world’s financial systems, which he believes will be the most important thing that he will do while in office. He was hoping that the Bishop would bless them! Since they had already left, he humbly asked Bishop Swing to bless him, and our Bishop complied.

Bishop Swing's last meeting was with the Director of UNESCO’s New York office (its headquarters are in Paris), Hélène-Marie Gosselin, and Rochelle Roca-Hachem, a Program Specialist for Culture. Ms. Gosselin gave a broad overview of the work of UNESCO, especially in education and culture. She stressed the importance of the URI’s work bringing people together across differences of culture and religion, and she encouraged us to work more closely with UNESCO and also with the Alliance of Civilizations. The Bishop offered his perspectives on the challenges and the successes of our efforts – and invited her to come and work for him after she retires – which she accepted to do for no salary. Yet another warm relationship had been forged.

It was time to bring this very special afternoon at the United Nations to a close. Now it will be up to us, and to the Cooperation Circles around the world, to follow through by doing the work: to protect children, to care for the environment, to empower women, to uphold human rights, to give voice to the indigenous, to educate for a culture of peace, and, yes, to help eliminate violence, especially when it is motivated by religion. Bishop Swing will continue to do all he can to find the URI the resources it needs and to make us friends in many places. After that, it is in our hands.

May Peace Prevail on Earth.

Deborah Moldow, URI-UN

24 March 2009

Bishop William E. Swing, founder and President of the United Religions Initiative came to New York to meet with funders from major foundations. He had one free afternoon on March 24th for meetings at the United Nations. The person I most wanted for the Bishop was to meet the President of the UN General Assembly, a wonderful priest from Nicaragua named Fr. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, but he was only scheduled for an appointment with his Deputy Chef de Cabinet, Amb. Sofia Clark.

First the Bishop had lunch in the lovely Delegates Dining Room with some of the UN personnel who work regularly with religious NGOs (non-governmental organizations): Stephen Hanmer of UNICEF, Jim Sniffen of the UN Environment Programme, and Thomas Uthup of the newest of the UN initiatives, the Alliance of Civilizations. The Bishop explained the purpose and history of the URI, and he learned about the different ways to partner with these various agencies. 

Outside the Delegates Dining Room after lunch, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon suddenly appeared. He smiled and broke ranks to come over to say hello to Bishop Swing and take a photo together, surely a most auspicious sign for the future of the URI at the United Nations.

At office of the President of the General Assembly, Amb. Clark. announced that “The Father” wanted to meet the Bishop! It turned out that Fr. d’Escoto and Bishop Swing were both ordained 48 years ago in the month of June. They bonded beautifully. The Bishop recounted how the URI was born, and there was a brief discussion about the URI and the theme of reconciliation, which is dear to Fr. d’Escoto’s heart. Deborah Moldow of URI-UN presented Fr. d'Escoto with a desktop Peace Pole with the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in Spanish and English.

As the Bishop continued his meeting with Amb. Sofia Clark, someone appeared with a message: Fr. d’Escoto wanted the Bishop to come back into his office. He had just named two special representatives to recommend changes to the world’s financial systems, which he believes will be the most important thing that he will do while in office. He was hoping that the Bishop would bless them! Since they had already left, he humbly asked Bishop Swing to bless him, and our Bishop complied.

Bishop Swing's last meeting was with the Director of UNESCO’s New York office (its headquarters are in Paris), Hélène-Marie Gosselin, and Rochelle Roca-Hachem, a Program Specialist for Culture. Ms. Gosselin gave a broad overview of the work of UNESCO, especially in education and culture. She stressed the importance of the URI’s work bringing people together across differences of culture and religion, and she encouraged us to work more closely with UNESCO and also with the Alliance of Civilizations. The Bishop offered his perspectives on the challenges and the successes of our efforts – and invited her to come and work for him after she retires – which she accepted to do for no salary. Yet another warm relationship had been forged.

It was time to bring this very special afternoon at the United Nations to a close. Now it will be up to us, and to the Cooperation Circles around the world, to follow through by doing the work: to protect children, to care for the environment, to empower women, to uphold human rights, to give voice to the indigenous, to educate for a culture of peace, and, yes, to help eliminate violence, especially when it is motivated by religion. Bishop Swing will continue to do all he can to find the URI the resources it needs and to make us friends in many places. After that, it is in our hands.

May Peace Prevail on Earth.

Deborah Moldow, URI-UN

24 March 2009