Washington Times Incident

In Jin Moon
November 13, 2009

NHQ20091113 No. 28

To: District Directors, State Leaders, all Blessed Central Families and Members
From: Reverend In Jin Moon, Archbishop Ki Hoon Kim, Reverend Joshua Cotter
Re: The Washington Times Incident on Sunday November 8th, 2009
Date: November 13th, 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

May God’s abundant blessing and True Parents’ love be upon you and your family.

As you may be aware, this past week three executives at the Washington Times, Mr. Dong Moon Joo, Chairman, Mr. Thomas McDevitt, President and Publisher and Mr. Keith Cooperrider, CFO were fired from their jobs. Mr. Jonathan Slevin (Vice-President at News World Communications) and Mr. Nick Chiaia carried out these actions. On Sunday, November 8, Tom McDevitt was escorted from his office at the Washington Times building to his car by Mr. Slevin, together with two security guards. His cell phone and computer were confiscated.

This type of behavior is unprecedented in our movement. It must be made clear that what took place at the Washington Times is contrary to the advice and guidance from our True Father.

True Parents are heartbroken and dismayed over what has happened, especially in light of the fact that they have been guiding our movement worldwide, over the last several months, specifically to remain united with their spiritual leadership.

Some recent press articles this past week have incorrectly tried to characterize the situation around the Washington Times takeover as a ‘feud between two brothers’ (specifically between Hyun Jin Nim and Hyung Jin Nim). These statements are perhaps purposefully misleading. The real issue here is unity with True Parents’ spiritual leadership.

Each one of True Parents’ children and the members of their family who are serving in some public role in our worldwide movement are standing in complete unity with True Parents. This includes Hyung Jin Nim (International President), Kook Jin Nim (President of the Korea Foundation), In Jin Nim (President of the American Church), Sun Jin Nim (Seilo Travel), Yeon Ah Nim (Sun Moon University) and Hoon Sook Nim (Universal Ballet Company).

There is no doubt that Hyun Jin Nim deeply loves True Parents, but he may not be receiving the best advice from those who are loyal to him. In Korea, during recent Hoon Dok Hae's, Father is urgently and repeatedly stating that, during this critical time, it is important to remain vigilant in our unity with our True Parents.

Thank you and may God bless you.