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List of 21st-century religious leaders

This is a list of the top-level leaders for religious groups with at least 50,000 adherents, and that led anytime since January 1, 2001. It should likewise only name leaders listed on other articles and lists.

Buddhism

  • Jodo Shinshu (complete list) –
  • Hongwanji-ha
  • Sokunyo, Monshu (1977–2014)
  • Sennyo, Monshu (2014–present)
  • Ōtani-ha
  • Chōken Ōtani, Abbot (1996–2020)
  • ChōyÅ« Ōtani, Abbot (2020–present)

Tibetan Buddhism

  • Dalai Lama of the Gelug (Yellow Hat school) —
  • Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama (1940–present)
Mongolia
Russia

Christianity

Catholicism

Eastern Orthodoxy

Full Communion

*Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (1991–present)
*Peter VII, Patriarch of Alexandria (1997–2004)
*Theodore II, Patriarch of Alexandria (2004–present)
*Ignatius IV (Hazim), Patriarch of Antioch (1979–2012)
*John X (Yazigi), Patriarch of Antioch (2012–present)
*Irenaios I, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem (2001–2005)
*Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem (2005–present)
*Anastasios (Yannoulatos), Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania (1992–2025)
*Archbishop John of Tirana, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania (2025-present)
*Maxim, Patriarch of All Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia (1971–2012)
*Neofit, Patriarch of All Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia (2013–2024)
*Daniil, Patriarch of All Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia (2024-present)
*Chrysostomos I, Archbishop of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus (1977–2006)
*Chrysostomos II, Archbishop of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus (2006–2022)
*George III, Archbishop of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus (2022–present)
*Nicholas of Presov, Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia (2000–2006)
*Christopher of Prague, Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia (2006–2014)
*Rastilav of Presov, Metropolitan of the Czech Lands and Slovakia (2014–present)
*Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia (1977–2026)
*Christodoulos of Athens, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece (1998–2008)
*Ieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece (2008–present)
*Sawa (Hrycuniak) of Poland, Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland (1998–present)
*Teoctist I, Patriarch of All Romania (1986–2007)
*Daniel Ciobotea, Patriarch of All Romania (2007–present)
*Alexy II of Russia, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1990–2008)
*Kirill I, acting (2008–2009), Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (2009–present)
*Pavle, Archbishop of Peć, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci, and Serbian Patriarch (1990–2009)
*Irinej, Archbishop of Peć, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci, and Serbian Patriarch (2010–2020)
*Porfirije, Archbishop of Peć, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci, and Serbian Patriarch (2021–present)
*John Rinne, Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland (1987–2001)
*Leo Makkonen, Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland (2001–2024)
*Elia Wallgrén, Archbishop of Helsinki and All Finland (2024–present)

Partial Communion

*Theodosius (Lazor), Archbishop of New York, Metropolitan of All America and Canada (1977–1980); Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada (1981–2002)
*Herman (Swaiko), Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada (2002–2005); Archbishop of Washington and New York, Metropolitan of All America and Canada (2005–2008)
*Jonah (Paffhausen), Archbishop of Washington and New York, Metropolitan of All America and Canada (2008–2009); Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada (2009–2012)
*Tikhon, Metropolitan of All America and Canada (2012–present)

Oriental Orthodoxy

:*Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians (1999–present)
*Armenian Apostolic Church (complete list) –
:*Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia (1995–present)
*Shenouda III of Alexandria, Pope and Patriarch (1971–2012)
*Theodoros II of Alexandria, Pope and Patriarch (Pope Tawadros II) (2012–present)
*Abune Phillipos, Patriarch (1999–2001)
*Abune Yacob, Patriarch (2002–2003)
*Abune Antonios, Patriarch (2004–2007)
*Abune Dioskoros, Patriarch (2007–2015)
*Abune Qerlos, Patriarch (2021–2022)
*Abune Basilos, Patriarch (2024–present)
*Abune Paulos, Abuna and Patriarch (1992–2012)
*Abune Mathias, Abuna and Patriarch (2013–present)
*Ignatius Zakka I Iwas (1980–2014)
*Ignatius Aphrem II Karim (2014–present)
*Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan (1991–2005)
*Baselios Mar Thoma Didymos I, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan (2005–2010)
*Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan (2010–2021)
*Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan (2021–present)

Protestantism

*Kevin Mannoia, President (1999–2001)
*Leith Anderson, President (2002–2003)
*Ted Haggard, President (2003–2006)
*Leith Anderson, President (2006–2019)
*Walter Kim, President (2020–present)

Baptist

*General Secretaries
:*Denton Lotz (1988–2007)
:*Neville Callam (2008–present)
*Presidents
:*Billy Kim (2000–2005)
:*David Coffey (2005–2010)
:*John Upton (2010–present)
Africa
*Mateus Chaves, President ()
*Alexandre Melo Chilanda, General Secretary ()
*President
:*Uche Enyioha, President ()
*General Secretary and CEO
:*S. T. Ola Akande, General Secretary
:*S. Ola Fadeji, General Secretary
:*Solomon Ademola Ishola, General Secretary ()
Asia
*Letta, Executive Secretary
*Kooler, Executive Secretary
*Augustus Spurgeon, Executive Secretary
*Caleb Paw, Executive Secretary
*Paul Htoo, Executive Secretary ()
*Arleen D. Fidel, Chairman (2004–present)
India
*O. Alem, General Secretary ()
*T. Ch. Immanuel, President (2006–present)
*M. Ashok Kumar, Secretary (2006–present)
*Vumthang Sitlhou, General Secretary ()
*Rajani Kaipeng, General Secretary ()
Eurasia, regional
  • Euro-Asian Federation of Evangelical Christians-Baptists Unions —
*Alexey Smirnov, President (2012–present)
  • International Union of Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists —
*Gennadi Kryuchkov, Chairman (1962–2007)
*Nikolay Antonyuk, Chairman (2008–present)
Eurasia, national
*Peter Konovalchuk, President (1994–2002)
*Yuri Sipko, President (2002–2010)
*Alexey Smirnov, President (2010–2018)
*Peter Mickiewicz, President (2018–present)
*Frans G. Tissen, President (present)
Europe, regional
*Tony Peck, General Secretary ()
*Jimmy Martin, General Secretary ()
Europe, national
*Paul Negruţ, President (?–2007)
*Otniel Bunaciu, President (2007–present)
*Borzási István, President ()
United Kingdom
*Jonathan Edwards, General Secretary ()
North America
Canada
*Jamey McDonald, Executive Director ()
*Gary Vincent Nelson, General Secretary ()
*Jan Paasuke, President of the Board ()
*Roger Fellows, General Coordinator (2001–NA)
*Mark Hudson, General Coordinator ()
United States
*Brooks Wicker, President ()
*A. Roy Medley, General Secretary ()
*Gordon Taylor, Coordinator (2008–present)
*Linzy Slayden, President ()
*Jerry Sheveland, President ()
*J. Brent Walker – Executive Director (1999–2016)
*Amanda Tyler - Executive Director (2017–present)
*John David Smith, Executive Director, (2010–present)
*Cheryl Dudley, President, (2008–2011)
*Stephen LeBar, Executive Director (2004–2009)
*Stan Rieb, National Network Facilitator, (2009–present)
*Daniel Vestal, Coordinator (1996–present)
*Eugene Dickerson, Moderator ()
*Roger Ball, President ()
*Paul S. Morton, International Presiding Bishop (1994–present)
*John Vaughn, President ()
*James Murray, interim Executive Director ()
*John Greening, National Representative ()
*Stephen J. Thurston, President ()
*Samuel C. Tolbert, General Secretary ()
*William J. Shaw, President (1999–2009)
*Julius R. Scruggs, President (2009–2014)
*Jerry Young, President (2014–present)
*Rob McCleland, Executive Director ()
*Paul Hagen, General Superintendent ()
*Delmar Rogers, General Secretary ()
*General Secretary
:*Walter Parrish III, General Secretary ()
*President
:*T. DeWitt Smith, Jr., President (?–2010)
:*Carroll A. Baltimore, President (2010–2014)
:*James C. Perkins, President (2014–present)
*James Merritt, President (2000–2002)
*Jack Graham, President (2002–2004)
*Bobby Welch, President (2004–2006)
*Frank S. Page, President (2006–2008)
*Johnny M. Hunt, President (2008–2010)
*Bryant Wright, President (2010–2011)
*Fred Luter, President (2012–2014)
*Ronnie Floyd, President (2014–2016)
*Steve Gaines, President (2016–2018)
*J.D. Greear, President (2018–2021)
*Ed Litton, President (2021–2022)
*Bart Barber, President (2022–2024)
*Clint Pressley, President (2024–present)
*Henry J. Rodmon, General Bishop ()

Holiness

*David Rambo, President (–2005)
*Gary Benedict, President (2005–2013)
*John A. Knight, General Superintendent (1985–2001)
*William J. Prince, General Superintendent (1989–2001)
*James Diehl, General Superintendent (1993–2009)
*Paul Cunningham, General Superintendent (1993–2009)
*Jerry D. Porter, General Superintendent (1997–2017)
*Jim Bond, General Superintendent (1997–2005)
*W. Talmadge Johnson, General Superintendent (2001–2005)
*Jesse Middendorf, General Superintendent (2001–2013)
*Nina Gunter, General Superintendent (2005–2009)
*J. K. Warrick, General Superintendent (2005–2017)
*Eugenio Duarte, General Superintendent (2009–present)
*David W. Graves, General Superintendent (2009–2023)
*Stan Toler, General Superintendent (2009–2017)
*David Busic, General Superintendent (2013–present)
*Carla Sunberg, General Superintendent (2017–present)
*Robert Barney Dallenbach, General Superintendent (2000–2008)
*Joseph Gross, General Superintendent (2008–present)
*John Gowans, General (1999–2002)
*John Larsson, General (2002–2006)
*Shaw Clifton, General (2006–2011)
*Linda Bond, General (2011–2013)
*André Cox, General (2013–2018)
*Brian Peddle, General (2018–2023)
*Lyndon Buckingham, General (2023–present)

Lutheranism

International
*Steven P. Petersen, President (2008–2011)
*Daniel Koelpin, President (2011–present)
*Chairman
:*Ralph Mayan, Chairman (2005–2008)
:*Gerald B. Kieschnick, Chairman (2009–2010)
:*Hans-Jörg Voigt, Chairman (2010–2012)
*Executive Secretary
:*Samuel H. Nafzger, Executive Secretary (2001 or before –present)
*Christian Krause (Germany), President (1997–2003)
*Mark Hanson (US), President (2003–2010)
*Munib Younan (Palestine), President (2010–2017)
*Musa Filibus (Nigeria), President (2017–2023)
*Henrik Stubkjær (Palestine), President (2023–present)
Europe
:*Jaan Kiivit, Jr, Archbishop (1994–2005)
:*Andres Põder, Archbishop (2005–2014)
:*Urmas Viilma, Archbishop (2015–present)
*Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia Church Abroad
:*Udo Petersoo, Archbishop, (1990–2006)
:*Andres Taul, Archbishop, (2007–2010)
:*Thomas Vaga, Acting Bishop (2011–present)
*Jukka Paarma, Archbishop of Turku (1998–2010)
*Kari Mäkinen, Archbishop of Turku (2010–2018)
*Tapio Luoma, Archbishop of Turku (2018–present)
*Harald V of Norway, King of Norway (1991–present)
*Karl Gustav Hammar, Lutheran Primate of Sweden (1997–2006)
*Anders Wejryd, Lutheran Primate of Sweden (2006–2014)
*Antje Jackelén, Lutheran Primate of Sweden (2014–2022)
*Martin Modéus, Lutheran Primate of Sweden (2022-present)
North America
*Alvin L. Barry, President (1992–2001)
*Robert T. Kuhn, President (2001)
*Gerald B. Kieschnick, President (2001–2010)
*Matthew C. Harrison, President (2010–present)
*H. George Anderson, Presiding Bishop (1995–2001)
*Mark Hanson, Presiding Bishop (2001–2013)
*Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop (2013–present)
*William Sullivan, National Service Coordinator (2002–2010)
*Mark Vander Tuig, National Service Coordinator (2010–present)
*Karl R. Gurgel, President (1993–2007)
*Mark G. Schroeder, President (2007–present)
*Telmor Sartison, National Bishop (1993–2001)
*Raymond Schultz, National Bishop (2001–2007)
*Susan Johnson, National Bishop (2007–present)

Methodism

*Clement W. Fugh, General Secretary (2000–present)
*Albert Chiew, Bishop (–2010)
*James Kwang, Bishop (2010–present)
*Keith A. Elford, Bishop (1997–2017)
*Cliff Fletcher, Bishop (2017–present)
*Nathaniel P. Lazaro, General Superintendent (2000–present)
*Samuel Asante Antwi, President and Presiding Bishop (1997–2003)
*Robert Aboagye-Mensah, Presiding Bishop (2003–2009)
*Emmanuel Asante, Presiding Bishop (2009–present)
*Peter Chio, Bishop (?–2004)
*Hwa Yung, Bishop (2004–present)
*President
:*H Mvume Dandala, President (1998–2003)
:*Ivan M Abrahams, President (2003–present)
*General Secretary
:*Vivian Harris, General Secretary (1988–2001)
:*Ross A J Olivier, General Secretary (2001–2005)
:*Vuyani G Nyobole, General Secretary (2005–present)
*Gregory V. Palmer, President of the Council of Bishops (2008–2010)
*Larry M. Goodpaster, President of the Council of Bishops (2010–2012)
*Rosemarie Wenner, President of the Council of Bishops (2012–2014)
*Warner Brown, President of the Council of Bishops (2014–present)

Pentecostalism

*Thomas E. Trask, Chairman (2000–2008)
*George O. Wood, Chairman (2008–2022)
*Thomas E. Trask, General superintendent (1993–2007)
*George O. Wood, General superintendent (2007–2017)
*Doug E. Clay, General superintendent (2017–present)
*Joseph Tkach, Jr., President and pastor general (1995–present)
*Richard Fehr, Chief apostle (1988–2005)
*Wilhelm Leber, Chief apostle (2005–2013)
*Jean-Luc Schneider (2013–present)

Presbyterianism

*John Miller, Moderator of the General Assembly (2001)
*Finlay Macdonald, Moderator of the General Assembly (2002)
*Iain Torrance, Moderator of the General Assembly (2003)
*Alison Elliot, Moderator of the General Assembly (2004)
*David Lacy, Moderator of the General Assembly (2005)
*Alan McDonald, Moderator of the General Assembly (2006)
*Sheilagh M. Kesting, Moderator of the General Assembly (2007)
*David W. Lunan, Moderator of the General Assembly (2008)
*William C. Hewitt, Moderator of the General Assembly (2009)
*John Christie, Moderator of the General Assembly (2010)
*A. David K. Arnott, Moderator of the General Assembly (2011)
*Albert O. Bogle, Moderator of the General Assembly (2012)
*Lorna Hood, Moderator of the General Assembly (2013)
*John Chalmers, Moderator of the General Assembly (2014)
*Syngman Rhee, Moderator of the General Assembly (2000–2001)
*Jack Rogers, Moderator of the General Assembly (2001–2002)
*Fahed Abu-Akel, Moderator of the General Assembly (2002–2003)
*Susan R. Andrews, Moderator of the General Assembly (2003–2004)
*Rick Ufford-Chase, Moderator of the General Assembly (2004–2006)
*Joan Gray, Moderator of the General Assembly (2006–2008)
*Bruce Reyes-Chow, Moderator of the General Assembly (2008–2010)
*Cynthia Bolbach, Moderator of the General Assembly (2010–2012)
*Neal Presa, Moderator of the General Assembly (2012–2014)

Other protestant

  • Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
  • General Minister and President
  • Richard L. Hamm (1993-2003)
  • William "Chris" Hobgood, interim (2003–2005)
  • Sharon E. Watkins (2005–2017)
  • Teresa Hord Owens (2017–Present)
  • Moderator of the General Assembly
  • Paul D. Rivera (1999–2001)
  • Alvin O. Jackson (2001–2003)
  • Charisse Gillett (2003–2005)
  • Bill Lee (2005–2007)
  • Newell Williams (2007–2009)
  • Larry Brown (2009–2011)
  • Regina Morton (2011–2013)
  • Glen Miles (2013–2015)
  • Tony Rodriguez (2015–2017)
  • Sue Morris (2017–2019)
  • Belva Brown Jordan (2019–2023)
  • Seventh-day Adventists (complete list) –
*Jan Paulsen, General Conference President (1999–2010)
*Ted N. C. Wilson, General Conference President (2010–2025)
*Erton Köhler, General Conference President (2025-present)
Liz Slade, Chief Officer (2019–present)
*President
:*James Haire, President (2000–2003)
:*Dean Drayton, President (2003–2006)
:*Gregor Henderson, President (2006–2009)
:*Alistair Macrae, President (2009–2012)
:*Andrew Dutney, President (2012–2015)
:*Stuart McMillan, President (2015–2018)
:*Deidre Palmer, President (2018–2021)
:*Sharon Hollis, President (2021–2024)
:*Charissa Suli, President (2024–2027)
*General Secretary
:*Gregor Henderson, General Secretary (1989–2001)
:*Terence Corkin, General Secretary (2001–2015)
:*Colleen Geyer, General Secretary (2016–present)
*Marion Pardy, Moderator (2000–2003)
*Peter Short, Moderator (2003–2006)
*David Giuliano, Moderator (2006–2009)
*Mardi Tindal, Moderator (2009–2012)
*Gary Paterson, Moderator (2012–2015)
*Jordan Cantwell, Moderator (2015–2018)
*Richard Bott, Moderator (2018–2022)
*Carmen Lansdowne, Moderator (2022–2025)
*Kimberly Heath, Moderator (2025-present)

Anglicanism

Provinces of the Anglican Communion

*Formal leadership –
:*Elizabeth II, Supreme Governor of the Church of England (1952–2022)
:*Charles III, Supreme Governor of the Church of England (2022-present)
*Effective leadership, (complete list) –
:*George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury (1991–2002)
:*Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury (2002–2012)
:*Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury (2013–2025)
:*Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury (2026-present)
:*Peter Carnley, Primate (2000–2005)
:*Phillip Aspinall, Primate (2005–2014)
:*Philip Freier, Primate (2014–2020)
:*Geoffrey Smith, Primate (2020–2025)
:*Mark Short, Primate (2025-present)
:*Michael Peers, Primate (1986–2004)
:*Fred Hiltz, Primate (2007–2019)
:*Linda Nicholls, Primate (2019–2024)
:*Shane Parker, Primate (2025-present)
:*Frank Griswold, Presiding Bishop (1998–2006)
:*Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop (2006–2016)
:*Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop (2016–2024)
:*Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop (2024–present)

Continuing Anglicanism

*Anglican Church in America –
:*Louis Falk, Primate (1991–2005)
:*Louis Falk, President of the House of Bishops (2005–present)
*Anglican Province of America
** Walter Grundorf, Presiding Bishop (early 1990s–2021)
** Chandler Holder Jones, Presiding Bishop (2021-present)
*Diocese of the Holy Cross – Paul C. Hewett, Diocesan Bishop (2006–present)
*Episcopal Missionary Church –
:*William Millsaps, Presiding Bishop (2000–2005)
:*Council Nedd II, Presiding Bishop (2005–present)
*Reformed Episcopal Church –
:*Leonard W. Riches, Presiding Bishop (1996–2014)
:*Royal U. Grote Jr., Presiding Bishop (2014–2016)
:*Ray Sutton, Presiding Bishop (2017–present)
*Anglican Church in North America –
:*Robert Duncan, Primate (2009–2014)
:*Foley Beach, Primate (2014–2024)
:*Steve Wood, Primate (2024–present)
*Church of England in South Africa –
:*Frank J. Retief, Presiding Bishop (2000–2010)
:*Desmond Inglesby, Presiding Bishop (2010–present)
*Anglican Episcopal Church –
:*Reginald Hammond, Presiding Bishop (2000–2004)
:*George Connor, Presiding Bishop (2006–present)
*Diocese of the Great Lakes –
:*Julius A. Neeser, Bishop Ordinary (1998–2002)
:*David T. Hustwick, Bishop Ordinary (2002–present)
:*Scott Earle McLaughlin, Metropolitan Archbishop (2000–2012)
:*Creighton Jones, Metropolitan Archbishop (2012–2015)
:*Thomas Gordon, Metropolitan Archbishop (2015–present)
*Orthodox Anglican Church –
:*Scott Earle McLaughlin, Presiding Bishop (2000–2012)
:*Creighton Jones, Presiding Bishop (2012–2015)
:*Thomas Gordon, Presiding Bishop (2015–present)
:*Louis Falk, Primate (1991–2002)
:*John Hepworth, Primate (2002–2012)
:*Samuel Prakash, Primate (2012–2017)
:*Shane B. Jenzen, Primate (2017–present)
*Anglican Catholic Church in Australia –
:*John Hepworth, Archbishop (1998–2012)
:*Michael Pope, Archbishop (2013–present)
*Anglican Catholic Church of Canada –
:*Robert Mercer, Bishop and Metropolitan (1988–2005)
:*Peter Wilkinson, Bishop and Metropolitan (2005–present)
*Anglican Church of India – Stephen Vattappara, Metropolitan Bishop (1990–present)
*Anglican Church in America –
:*Louis Falk, Primate (1991–2005)
:*Louis Falk, President of the House of Bishops (2005–present)
:*Stephen C. Reber, Presiding Bishop (1996–2010)
:*Peter D. Robinson, Presiding Bishop (2010–present)

Other Christian denominations

*Athanasius Yohan I, Metropolitan (1993–2024)
*Samuel Theophilus, Metropolitan (2024–present)
*María Luisa Piraquive, World Leader (1996–present)
*Mar Dinkha IV, Patriarch (1976–2015)
*Mar Gerwargis III, Patriarch (2015–2021)
*Mar Awa III, Patriarch (2021–present)
*Mar Addai II, Patriarch (1972–2022)
*Yacob III Daniel, Patriarch (2022-present)
*Philipose Mar Chrysostym Mar Thoma, Marthoma Metropolitan (1999–2007)
*Joseph Mar Thoma, Marthoma Metropolitan (2007–2020)
*Theodosius Mar Thoma, Marthoma Metropolitan (2020–present)
*Eliseo Soriano, Presiding Minister (1977–2021)
*Daniel Soriano Razon, Presiding Minister (2021-present)
*Gordon B. Hinckley, President (1995–2008)
*Thomas S. Monson, President (2008–2018)
*Russell M. Nelson, President (2018–2025)
*Dallin H. Oaks, President (2025–present)
*Eraño Manalo, Executive Minister (1963–2009)
*Eduardo V. Manalo, Executive Minister (2009–present)
*Robert W. Edgar, General Secretary (1999–2007)
*Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary (2007–2011)
*Peg Birk, General Secretary (2012–2013)
*Jim Winkler, General Secretary (2014–present)
*Sun Myung Moon, 'True Father' (1953–2012)
*Hak Ja Han, 'True Mother'/Acting Leader (2012–present)
*Konrad Raiser, General Secretary (1993–2003)
*Samuel Kobia, General Secretary (2004–2009)
*Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary (2010–2020)
*Ioan Sauca, Acting General Secretary (2020-2022)
*Jerry Pillay, General Secretary (2023-present)

Hinduism

*Rambhadracharya, Jagadguru Acharya (1988–present)
*Krishna Maharaj (1986–2003)
*Uttam Maharaj (2005–2018)
*Rampersad Parasram, Dharmacharya (2019–present).

Gaudiya Vaishnavism

*Bhakti Suhrid Paribrajak, president-acharya (1993–2018)
*Bhakti Sundar Sanyasi Maharaj, president-acharya (2018–present)
*Bhakti Vedanta Budhayan Goswami, president-acharya (2020–present)
*Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami, president-acharya (1988–2010)
*Bhakti Nirmal Acharya, president-acharya (2010–present)
*Srila Nayananandana Das babaji, President (1999–2002)
*Srila Bhakti B. Tirtha Maharaj, President (2002–present).

Smarta tradition

*Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, Badrinath and Dwarka Sharada Peetham, Dwarka (1982-2022)
*Swami Nischalanand Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Govardhan Math, Puri (1992-present)
*Swami Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam, Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri (1974–present)

Swaminarayan Sampradaya

*Acharya Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj (1969–2004)
*Acharya Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj (2004–present)
*Acharya Shree Ajendraprasadji Maharaj (1984–present)
*Swaminarayan Gurukul —
:*Guruvarya Shri Devkrushnadasji Swami (1974–present)
*Acharya Shree Rakeshprasadji Maharaj (2003–present)
*Pramukh Swami Maharaj, President (1971–2016)
*Mahant Swami Maharaj, President (2016–present)
*Gurudev Bapji, Founder (1987–2019)
*HDH Swamishri, President (2019–present)
  • Gunatit Samaj —
*Kakaji Maharaj - Yogi Divine Society (1966-1986)
*Pappaji Maharaj - Gunatit Jyot (1966–2006)
*Hariprasad Swamiji Maharaj - Haridham Sokhada, HSAPSS (1966–2021)
*Premswarup Swamiji Maharaj, President-Haridham Sokhada, HSAPSS (2021-Present)
*Aksharvihari Swamiji Maharaj - Shri Akshar Purushottam Satsang Kendra (1966–2019)
*Jashbhai Sahebji - Anoopam Mission (1966–present)
*Purushottampriyadasji Swami (1979-2020)
*Jitendrapriyadasji Swami (2020-present)

Hindu new movements

*Upashak Bandhu Bhramachariji (India) (present)
*Kanti Bandhu Bhramachariji (Bangladesh) (present)
*Swami Ranganathananda, President (1998–2005)
*Swami Gahanananda, President (2005–2007)
*Swami Atmasthananda, President (2007–2017)
*Swami Smaranananda, President (2017–2024)
*Swami Gautamananda, President (2024-present)
  • Sri Chinmoy Centers — Sri Chinmoy (1966–2007)

Islam

Pan-Islamic

*List of secretaries-general

Sunni

International

*Dawat-e-Islami —
:*Muhammad Ilyas Qadri, Amir of Ahlussunnah–Emir of Sunnis (1981–present)
*Sunni Dawate Islami —
:*Shakir Ali Noori, Ameer (1990–present)
*World Islamic Mission —
:*Qamaruzzaman Azmi, President (present)
*World Sunni Movement —
:*Syed Mohammad Saifur Rahman, Chief Advisor (present)
*Taqi Usmani, Sheikh ul Islam (2004–present)
*Tablighi Jamaat —
:*Zubairul Hasan Kandhlawi, Amir (1995–2014)
:*position abolished (since 2014)
*Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Musleh, Secretary-General (present)
*Muslim World League
:*Abdallah Ben Abdel Mohsen At-Turki (2000–2016)
:*Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Issa, Secretary General (2016–present)
*World Muslim Congress
:*President
::*Abdullah Omar Nasseef (present)
:*Secretary General
::*Raja Zafar-ul-Haq (present)
*Mustafa Mashhur, General Guide (1996–2002)
*Ma'mun al-Hudaybi, General Guide (2002–2004)
*Mohammed Mahdi Akef, General Guide (2004–2010)
*Mohammed Badie, General Guide (2010–present)

Afghanistan

*Mohammed Omar, Amir (1994–2013)
*Akhtar Mansour, Amir (2015–2016)
*Hibatullah Akhundzada, Amir (2016–present)

Australia

*Taj El-Din Hilaly (1992–2007)
*Fehmi Naji (2007–2011)
*Ibrahim Abu Mohamed (2011–2018)
*Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi (2018)
*Ibrahim Abu Mohamed (2018–present)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

*Mustafa Cerić, Grand Mufti (1993–2012)
*Husein Kavazović, Grand Mufti (2012–present)

China

*Xilalunding Chen Guangyuan, President (present)

Indonesia

*Sahal Mahfudh, chairman (2000–2014)
*Din Syamsuddin, chairman (2014–2015)
*Ma'ruf Amin, chairman (2015–2020)
*Miftachul Achyar, chairman (2020–2023)
*Anwar Iskandar, chairman (2023–present)
*Ahmad Syafi'i Maarif (1998–2005)
*Din Syamsuddin (2005–2015)
*Haedar Nashir (2015–present)
*Spiritual leader
:*Sahal Mahfudz (1999–2014)
:*Mustofa Bisri (2014, temporary)
:*Ma'ruf Amin (2015–2018)
:*Miftachul Akhyar (2018–present)
*Chairman
:*Hasyim Muzadi (1999–2010)
:*Said Aqil Siradj (2010–2021)
:*Yahya Cholil Staquf (2021–present)

Israel and Palestine

*Ekrima Sa'id Sabri (1994–2006)
*Muhammad Ahmad Hussein (2006–present)

Kazakhstan

  • Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Kazakhstan —
*Absattar Derbisali, Grand Mufti (2000–2013)
*Yerzhan Malgajyuly Mayamerov, Grand Mufti (2013–present)

Malaysia

  • Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs —
*Ismail Ibrahim, Chairman (2000–2005)
*Abdul Shukor Husin, Chairman (2005–2017)
*Wan Zahidi bin Wan Teh, Chairman (2017–2022)
*Nooh Gadut, Chairman (2022–present)

North Macedonia

*Zejnulla Fazliu, Islamic religious leader (1990–present)

Russia

  • Central Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Russia —
*Talgat Tadzhuddin, Shaikh al-Islam, Grand Mufti (1992–present)
*Rawil Ğaynetdin, Grand Mufti (2014–present) and Chairman (1996–present)
  • Spiritual Assembly of the Muslims of Russia —
*Albir Krganov, Mufti (2016–present)
  • Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Asian Part of Russia —
*Nafigulla Ashirov, Mufti (1997–present)
  • Coordinating Center of North Caucasus Muslims —
*Magomed Albogachiev, Chairman (1998–2003)
*Ismail Berdiyev, Chairman (2003–present)
  • Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Republic of Adygea and Krasnodar Krai —
*Askarbiy Kardanov, Mufti (2012–present)
  • Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Republic of Bashkortostan —
*Ainur Birgalin, Mufti (2019–present)
*Akhmad Shamaiev, Mufti (2000–2005)
*Sultan Mirsayev, Mufti (2005–2014)
*Salah Mezhiev, Mufti (2014–present)
  • Muftiate of the Republic of Dagestan —
*Ahmad Afandi Abdulaev, Mufti (1998–present)
  • Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Republic of Ingushetia
*Muhammed Alboghatchiev, Mufti
  • Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic —
*Hazrataliy Dzasejev, Mufti (2010–present)
  • Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic —
*Ismail Berdiyev, Mufti (1991–present)
  • Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania —
*Khajimurat Gatsalov, Mufti (2011–present)
  • Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan —
*Ğosman İsxaqi, Mufti (1998–2011)
*Ildus Faiz, Mufti (2011–2013)
*Kamil Samigullin, Mufti (2013–present)

Saudi Arabia

*Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia (1999–2025)
*Salih al‑Fawzan (2025-present)

Taiwan

*Ma Jiazhen, President (1996–2002)
*Ni Anguo, President (2002–2006)
*Ma Ruhu, President (2006–2008)
*Dawood Cho Yong-tsing, President (2008–present)

Ukraine

*Kirim Esende, Mufti
  • Spiritual Directorate of the Muslims of Crimea (Simferopol) —
*Emirali Ablaev, Mufti (1999–present)
*Tamim Ahmed Muhamed Mutah, Mufti
*Said Ismagilov, Mufti

Uzbekistan

  • Muslim Board of Uzbekistan
*Abdurashid Kori Bakhromov, Grand Mufti (1995–2006)
*Usman Alimov, Grand Mufti (2006–2021)
*Nuriddin Kholiqnazarov, Grand Mufti (2021–present)

Yemen

*Al-Habib Umar bin Hafidz (1997–present)

Shia

Twelver

*Muhammad al-Mahdi, Imam (874–present) <small>Shia belief holds that he was hidden by Allah in 874.</small>
*Mohammad-Taqi Bahjat Foumani (1993–2009)
*Mohammad Fazel Lankarani (1980–2007)
*Ali Khamenei (1985–2026)
*Muhammad Saeed al-Hakim (1981–2021)
*Hossein Noori-Hamedani(2000–present)
*Muhammad al-Fayadh (2008–present)
*Ali al-Sistani (1980–present)
*Naser Makarem Shirazi (1998–present)
*Hossein Waheed Khorasani (1995–present)
*Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani (1975–2022)
*Ali Akbar Velayati, General Secretary
*Mohammad Mahdi Asefi, General Secretary
*Mohammad Hasan Akhtari, General Secretary (present)
*Baba Reshat (1991–2011)
*Baba Mondi (2011–present)
*Allahshukur Pashazadeh, Grand Mufti of the Caucasus (1992–present)

Ismaili

*Mohammed Burhanuddin, 52nd Da'i al-Mutlaq (1965–2014)
*Mufaddal Saifuddin, 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq (2014–present)
*Abu Haatim Tayyib Ziyauddin, 44th Da'i al-Mutlaq (1974-2015)
*Haatim Zakiyuddin, 45th Da'i al-Mutlaq (2015-present)
*Aga Khan IV, 49th Imam (1957–2025)
*Aga Khan V, 50th Imam (2025-present)

Zaidiyyah

*Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, leader (1994–2004)
*Badreddin al-Houthi, leader (2004)
*Abdul-Malik Badreddin al-Houthi, leader (2004–present)

Ahmadiyya

*Khalifatul Masih IV, Mirza Tahir Ahmad (1982–2003)
*Khalifatul Masih V, Mirza Masroor Ahmad (2003–present)
* Asghar Hameed (1996–2002)
* Abdul Karim Saeed Pasha (2003–2022)

Nation of Islam

*Louis Farrakhan, head, (1981–present)

Ibadi

Judaism

Asia
*Ashkenazi
:*Israel Meir Lau, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi (1993–2003)
:*Yona Metzger, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi (2003–2013)
:*David Lau, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi (2013–2024)
:*Kalman Ber, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi (2024–present)
*Sephardic
:*Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron, Sephardic Chief Rabbi (1993–2003)
:*Shlomo Amar, Sephardic Chief Rabbi (2003–2013)
:*Yitzhak Yosef, Sephardic Chief Rabbi (2013–2024)
:*David Yosef, Sephardic Chief Rabbi (2024–present)
*Military Rabbinate
:*Israel Weiss, Chief Rabbi (2000–2006)
:*Avichai Rontzki, Chief Rabbi (2006–2010)
:*Rafi Peretz, Chief Rabbi (2010–2016)
:*Eyal Karim, Chief Rabbi (2016–present)
Eurasia
  • Russia —
*Congress of the Jewish Religious Organizations and Associations in Russia –
:*Adolf Shayevich, Chief Rabbi of Russia (1993–present)
*Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia –
:*Berel Lazar, Chief Rabbi of Russia (2000–present)
  • Turkey —
*David Asseo, Chief Rabbi (1961–2002)
*Ishak Haleva, Chief Rabbi (2002–2025)
Europe
  • Ireland —
*Yaakov Pearlman, Chief Rabbi (2001–2008)
*Zalman Lent, Acting Chief Rabbi (2008–present)
United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations
*Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi (1991–2013)
*Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi (2013–present)
North America
*Eric Yoffie, President (1996–2012)
*Richard Jacobs, President (2012–present)

New religious movements

Baháʼí Faith

Radha Soami

Scientology

Others

Other

Jainism

Mandaeism

Ravidassia

  • Niranjan Dass, Sant (2007–present)

Shinto

Sectarian Shinto

  • Konkokyo –
  • Heiki Konko, Spiritual Leader (1991–present)
  • Kurozumikyō –
  • Kurozumi Muneharu, Chief Patriarch (1973–2017)
  • Kurozumi Munemichi, Chief Patriarch (2017–present)

Taoism

Unitarian Universalism

Voodoo / Vodun

  • Beninese Vodun
  • Adanyroh Guèdèhounguè, President of National Community of Voodoo Cults of Benin (CNCVB)
  • Daagbo Hounon Houna II, Supreme Leader of Vodun
  • Haitian Vodou
  • Demanbre — Augustin St. Clou, King of Voodoo (2016–present)
  • National Confederation of Haitian Vodouisants (KNVA) — Prospère Louidor, National Ati (Supreme Voodoo Chief) (2021–present)

Spiritual Genuinity

  • Mokshadharma —
  • Founded by Amit Goyal (2019-present)
  • Started at a badminton court in Sydney where the idea was playing honestly and how it depicts the peace in this world.

See also

Notes

References