Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi Hosts Religious Freedom Luncheon in Wellington, New Zealand

In celebration of the 75th year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi, a General Authority Seventy and member of the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, hosted members of the diplomatic corps, government officers and leaders from faith and community organisations at a luncheon in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, on Friday, 24 November 2023.

The theme of the event was “Human dignity for everyone, everywhere.”

A new Religious Freedom brochure in English and Te Reo Māori, produced by the Church with input from several organisations, was presented.

Guests included the High Commissioner of Samoa, H.E. Mr. Afamasaga Toleafoa; Charge d’affaires South Africa High Commission, Ms. Nkensani Mahloko; U.S. Embassy representative, Mr Jonathan Crawford, Deputy Political and Economic Counselor.

Speakers at the event were 2022 International Law and Religion Symposium delegates, Vanisa Dhiru, Commissioner, National Commission for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Rakesh Naidoo, National Manager Ethnic Partnerships, New Zealand Police.

Also attending was Rachel Qi, President, Wellington Multicultural Council; Kim Smith, Manager, Diversity & Inclusion, Ministry of Justice; Mere Fiore, Chair, Wellington Interfaith Council; Sr. Catherine Jones, Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary; Paul Rytting, Pacific Area Church Legal Counsel; President Paul Clark, Wellington Mission Leader; Peter Thomson, Church Communication Director, Lower North Island & South Island.

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In his remarks, Elder Jaggi read Article 18 of the Human Rights Declaration, which begins, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.”

Referring to the brochure, Elder Jaggi said that Latter-day Saints’ expression of religious freedom is “support for the choice to believe or not to believe” and “support for diversity and inclusion” to ensure that communities know their rights for expression, so that “together we can support one another.”  

Elder Jaggi asked, "Why do Latter-day Saints care so much about religious freedom?" Quoting from Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee,” Elder Jaggi explained, "Latter-day Saints believe fundamentally that we all lived together as children of Heavenly Parents before we came to this earth."

He continued, "Part of our earthly journey is to support, sustain and build up human dignity in one another with kindness, compassion and peace.”

"In an increasingly angry and more secular world we need gratitude, we need connection, we need kindness and compassion for one another."

Elder Jaggi concluded, "We stand by the principles of religious freedom and their foundation of rights and dignity; in that we are all brothers and sisters. The more we do this together the more we can spread happiness and cheer."

Vanisa Dhiru shared examples of UNESCO working with the NZ Human Rights Commission and the Holocaust Centre, Manukau United Football, and National Council of Women New Zealand, to support freedom of responsible expression.

Dhiru said, “This participatory approach brings together civil society and communities to discuss ways to increase understanding of human rights and lead to a more inclusive society for all.”

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Rakesh Naidoo spoke about police officers in New Zealand being encouraged to bring their “full selves to work,” including their faith, within the rule of law, to better serve in their communities.

Naidoo shared an example of a Christian policeman offering to pray with a suffering woman, when regular policing could not assist. This expression of religion was received, and the situation was made calm.

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Paul Rytting enjoyed discussing the topic of religious freedom with fellow guests. “There was a strong spirit of collaboration and purpose with all attendees,” he said.