Thomas Paul Schirrmacher

Archbishop and Professor Thomas Paul Schirrmacher is the President of both the International Council of the International Society for Human Rights in Frankfurt and the International Institute for Religious Freedom in Costa Rica and Bonn. He was Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance from 2021 to 2024. Prior to this, he served the WEA for 25 years in various roles, including Associate Secretary General for Theological Concerns and Intrafaith and Interfaith Relations. He travels to over 50 countries a year, meeting heads of state and government, religious leaders, and heads of churches of all confessions on behalf of the persecuted church, as well as fighting human trafficking and corruption.

Articles by Thomas Paul Schirrmacher

10 Jul, 2026 17:40 EDT

Europe Church & Missions Bible & Theology

King Charles confuses his Church of England responsibility with his royal duty as protector

By Thomas Paul Schirrmacher

King Charles III's historic and official titles remain unchanged. However, conflating his role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England with protecting the space for faith within the multi-faith nation creates confusion. Either the distinction between the King's constitutional roles has not been expressed with sufficient clarity or the new terminology unintentionally blurs an important constitutional distinction. A global specialist in religious freedom explains why the new wording matters.
27 Apr, 2026 15:00 EDT

Europe Society & Culture Family & Children

Reviewing the shocking exposé into pornography dictators and profiteers

By Thomas Paul Schirrmacher

A 2025 book investigating the power behind the commercialization of pornography argue that "people don’t use pornography: it uses us. And you don’t have to watch it to be one of its victims." This review affirms the authors' critique of pornography and those who control it as a dangerously powerful, globalized industry that is (re)shaping desire, relationships, and social norms. Followers of Jesus need to guard ourselves against this attack on our relationships and our souls.
23 Jan, 2026 18:20 EST

Europe Religious Freedom

Answering six World Watch List critiques and a way forward

By Thomas Paul Schirrmacher

Open Doors' World Watch List of persecuted Christianity has its critics, but it is much easier to criticize than contribute to a solution. In this article, six major issues are addressed, arguing that there is room for more expansive research into freedom of all religion or belief if the resources were available to undertake it.
29 Dec, 2025 16:30 EST

Asia Church & Missions Society & Culture

Ghandi in alternate perspectives

By Richard Howell Thomas Paul Schirrmacher

Mahatma Gandhi is often known as India's father of the nation and a promoter of non-violence protest movements, but India has long since shifted from Gandhi's ideals. His popular influence on some Christians deserves to be critically assessed too. This retrospective considers Ghandi afresh.
9 Dec, 2025 17:20 EST

Europe Society & Culture Religious Freedom

Antisemitism in Christian, Islamic, and Secular perspective

By Thomas Paul Schirrmacher

Christian, Islamic, and secular/atheistic perspectives and politics have shaped recent world history more than any other international movement. All three have produced widespread forms of antisemitism that have repeatedly intermingled, threatening the human rights of Jewish people. It is important that Christians understand the roots of antisemitism and resist it as an evil and an affront to God.
20 Aug, 2025 15:00 EDT

Europe Church & Missions

The first 100 days of Leo XIV in Evangelical perspective

By Thomas Paul Schirrmacher

Archbishop and Professor Thomas Paul Schirrmacher, a leading Evangelical theology scholar, religious liberty advocate, and a senior Evangelical in relationship with several popes, provides us with his perspective on Pope Leo XIV after the pope's 100 days in office and Shirrmacher's most recent visit with Pope Leo at the Vatican.
5 Aug, 2025 17:15 EDT

Europe Society & Culture

It's topsy-turvy politics when Arab states are anti Hamas and (some) European states are pro

By Thomas Paul Schirrmacher

It should make us stand up and take notice when those most eager to see a Palestinian state recognized in their own back yard are anti Hamas, whereas in Europe and the UK Hamas seems to be part of the package. When it comes to understanding both sides of a conflict, even one as lopsided as this, unrealistic ideologies will not create stability. The Arab states know this. They deserve our respect.
23 Apr, 2025 13:40 EDT

Europe Church & Missions

The Pope of surprises: praise and candid reflections from a friend

By Thomas Paul Schirrmacher

Thomas Schirrmacher has worked with Pope Francis in a variety of official roles, both for the World Evangelical Alliance and the International Society for Human Rights. He accompanied the pope on three state visits and also visited him privately at Santa Marta on numerous occasions, often around the pontiff’s birthday. These are his reflections.
7 Oct, 2024 23:10 EDT

Middle East Opinion Religious Freedom

President of the International Council of the International Society for Human Rights supports Israel's right to defend itself

By Thomas Paul Schirrmacher

Separating anti-semitism against Jews from criticism of Israel's state is not so clear cut in the current global climate. Regardless of opinion on Israel's response, we should take care not to attack Jews. In this commentary, Archbishop Thomas Schirrmacher affirms Israel's right to self defense and warns against antisemitic tendencies. Attacks against Christians could be next.

Thomas Paul Schirrmacher

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