The Very Reverend Leonid Kishkovsky passed away on 3 August 2021.
“Father Leonid,” as the Religions for Peace global family called him with affection, served as Co-Moderator, Co-President, and Honorary President of Religions for Peace International, as well as Moderator of Religions for Peace USA.
Committed to a life of ecumenism and inter-faith dialogue, Fr. Leonid was elected as the first orthodox President of the National Council of Churches in the USA and served on the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, among many other roles.
As Religions for Peace International Moderator, Fr. Kishkovsky led missions to places affected by conflict and engaged in high-level multi-religious diplomacy for peace. Fr. Leonid recalled his childhood, being born in 1943 in Nazi-occupied Warsaw and fleeing to West Germany with his family as a refugee. With his personal struggle in West Germany and as an immigrant in the US, Fr. Leonid recognized the need for multi-religious collaboration.
“When prominent religious leaders of all faiths … exercise their moral authority by speaking out and acting together, they can have a decisive impact on issues such as violent conflict, refugee crisis and extreme poverty,” said Fr. Kishkovsky.
The entire Religions for Peace global movement mourns the passing of this great leader. Fr. Leonid leaves us with a legacy of perseverance and dedication to inter-religious dialogue and action, and continues to light our path towards a world of peace with justice and shared care for all humanity.