Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has been appointed to the Advisory Board of Religious Leaders for President Donald J. Trump’s newly established Religious Liberty Commission.
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:
“I am honored to serve on this important commission and grateful to President Trump for including me among such distinguished religious leaders. 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 the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who has long advocated for ecumenical dialogue and reconciliation.”
The Advisory Board of Religious Leaders includes:
- 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.
- Bishop Kevin Rhoades – Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana.
- Rabbi Eitan Webb – Co-founder of the Chabad House of Princeton and Jewish Chaplain at Princeton University.
- Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel – Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America.
The Commission is chaired by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, with Dr. Ben Carson serving as vice chair. Its mandate includes 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.
