179 - Eric Roux

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Eric Roux from the United Religions Initiative (URI) about his personal and professional journey in interfaith collaboration and religious freedom advocacy. Roux recounts how his work began by defending his own faith, Scientology, against discrimination in France, but evolved as he recognized the greater power and necessity of working alongside other religious communities to support each other. They discuss the complex landscape of religious freedom in Europe and explore the unique, grassroots structure of URI, which fosters "Cooperation Circles" worldwide to build relationships and tackle local issues—from environmentalism to violence prevention—through collaborative action. Key themes include the effectiveness of diverse communities defending one another, the importance of moving beyond dialogue to tangible cooperation, and the belief that building genuine relationships is the most effective way to create a more peaceful world focused on shared goals and human dignity. Eric Roux has devoted himself to the service of his faith and to the universal cause of freedom of religion for more than three decades. He became a member of the clergy of the Church of Scientology in 1993 and was ordained as a minister of religion shortly thereafter. From the earliest days of his ministry, he demonstrated a strong commitment to both spiritual outreach and humanitarian initiatives. Recognizing that meaningful progress requires cooperation across faith traditions, Eric Roux co-founded the FoRB Roundtable Brussels EU. This innovative platform regularly brings together over one hundred governmental and non-governmental organizations to exchange insights, forge alliances, and develop joint strategies for the protection and promotion of religious rights. Through regular meetings, the Roundtable has become a crucible for collaborative policymaking, leading to tangible improvements in legal safeguards for persecuted minorities. His work has earned him international acclaim as a champion of freedom of religion and belief. In recognition of his skills in consensus-building and his unwavering dedication to human dignity, Eric Roux was recently elected Chair of the Global Council of the United Religions Initiative (URI), the world’s largest grassroots network dedicated to interreligious cooperation. As Chair, he now guides URI’s strategic vision, supporting a myriad of local multifaith groups and grassroots projects.