From November 26 - 29, 2025, the city of Goiânia, Brazil, became a gathering place for faith, law, and shared purpose as it hosted the 1st Goiânia Symposium on Religious Freedom. More than 200 participants, including religious leaders, legal professionals, public officials, and academics, came together in a hybrid format to strengthen a common commitment to one of society’s most essential freedoms.
Organized by the Instituto de Religião de Goiânia (Goiânia Institute of Religion) in partnership with the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, the symposium was supported by the Goiânia Brazil Coordinating Council and local universities. The event reflected a collaborative effort to promote dialogue, understanding, and respect across religious and professional communities.
Representatives from a wide range of faith traditions participated, including African-rooted
religions, the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church, the Orthodox Church, the Spiritist Federation, and evangelical denominations such as the Assembly of God, the Baptist Church, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Their presence underscored the rich religious diversity of Brazil and the shared desire to protect the freedom to believe and worship according to conscience.
The symposium opened with reflections by Dr. Elianildo Nascimento on “History, Secularism, and the Challenges of Religious Freedom,” inviting participants to consider both the foundations and the future of religious liberty. On the following day, Dr. Odacyr Prigol, Area Chair for the Law Society’s Brazil Area, spoke on “Protection and Exercise of Religious Freedom,” emphasizing the vital role of legal frameworks in safeguarding this fundamental right.
A highlight of the symposium was the interreligious institutions dinner held on November 28, where leaders from different faiths and walks of life gathered in a spirit of mutual respect and goodwill. During this occasion, the Goiânia Chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society was formally organized, marking an important step forward in advancing the Society’s mission to promote fairness, virtue, and the rule of law, and to defend religious freedom.
The symposium also provided an opportunity to recognize public officials who have demonstrated meaningful commitment to these principles. City council members Lipe Gomes, de Aparecida from Goiânia, and Fabrício Rosa from Goiânia, were honored with the Certificate of Defense of Religious Freedom for their contributions to the protection of religious liberty and human rights.
The closing session on November 29 featured a keynote address by Dr. Dean Brockbank, Brazil
Area Legal Counsel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, titled, “Religious Freedom: Constitutional Protections Are Necessary, but Not Sufficient.” His remarks reminded participants that enduring freedom depends not only on laws, but also on a culture which values and protects conscience. A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Rysclift Bruno followed, bringing together respected voices to consider current challenges and future opportunities for religious freedom at both local and national levels.
The symposium concluded with a final lecture by Dr. Walter de Paula, “Religious Freedom in Crisis: Current Scenarios and Possible Paths Forward,” offering thoughtful insight into the path ahead.
With 15 hours of programming, the symposium became more than an academic or professional gathering: it was a meaningful expression of unity, respect, and shared responsibility. It also reaffirmed the truth that protecting religious freedom requires both principled legal advocacy and a sincere commitment to understanding others. In this spirit, the event stands as a hopeful example of what can be achieved when individuals of faith and goodwill work together to strengthen the foundations of a free and just society.
