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.

Lists of religious leaders by century: List of 19th-century religious leaders List of 20th-century religious leaders

See also: List of state leaders in the 21st century List of governors of dependent territories in the 21st century

Buddhism

• Cambodian buddhism —
  • Tep Vong, Great Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia (2006–2024)

• Engaged Buddhism —
  • Thích Nhất Hạnh, (1926–2022)

• Sōka Gakkai —
  • Einosuke Akiya, President (1981–2006)
  • Minoru Harada, President (2006–present)

• Thai Buddhism —
  • Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana, 19th Somdet Phra and Supreme Patriarch (1989–2013)
  • Ariyavongsagatanana IX, 20th Somdet Phra and Supreme Patriarch (2017–present)

Tibetan Buddhism

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

Mongolia

• Jebtsundamba Khutuktu of the Gelug in Mongolia —
  • Jambalnamdolchoyjijantsan, 9th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu (1991–2012)
  • Altannaryn Aguidai (or) Achiltai, 10th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu (2023-present)

Russia

• Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia —
  • Damba Ayusheev, 24th Pandito Khambo Lama (1995–present)

Christianity

Catholicism

• Roman Catholic Church, (complete list) –
  • John Paul II, Pope (1978–2005)
  • Benedict XVI, Pope (2005–2013)
  • Francis, Pope (2013–2025)
  • Leo XIV, Pope (2025-Present)

• Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris
  • Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church –
    • Lubomyr Husar, Major Archbishop (2001–2011)
    • Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop (2011–present)
  • Maronite Church –
    • Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, Patriarch (1986–2011)
    • Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, Patriarch (2011–present)
  • Syro-Malabar Church –
    • Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop (1999–2011)
    • George Alencherry, Major Archbishop (2011–2023)
    • Raphael Thattil, Major Archbishop (2024–present)

• Independent Catholic groups^[a]
  • Old Roman Catholic Church in Europe^[1] –
    • Jerome Lloyd, Metropolitan Archbishop (2012–present)
  • Apostolic Catholic Church (Philippines) –
    • John Florentine Teruel, Patriarch (1995–2021)
    • Juan Almario Calampiano, Patriarch (2021–present)
  • Philippine Independent Church –
    • Tomás Millamena, Supreme Bishop (1999–2005)
    • Godofredo J. David, Supreme Bishop (2005–2011)
    • Ephraim Fajutagana, Supreme Bishop (2011–2017)
    • Rhee Timbang, Supreme Bishop (2017–2023)
    • Joel Porlares, Supreme Bishop (2023-present)

Eastern Orthodoxy

Full Communion

• Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (complete list), the first among equals in Eastern Orthodoxy –

• Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (1991–present)

• Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria (complete list) –

• Peter VII, Patriarch of Alexandria (1997–2004)
• Theodore II, Patriarch of Alexandria (2004–present)

• Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch (complete list) –

• Ignatius IV (Hazim), Patriarch of Antioch (1979–2012)
• John X (Yazigi), Patriarch of Antioch (2012–present)

• Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem –

• Irenaios I, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem (2001–2005)
• Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem (2005–present)

• Albanian Orthodox Church –

• Anastasios (Yannoulatos), Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania (1992–2025)
• Archbishop John of Tirana, Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania (2025-present)

• Bulgarian Orthodox Church (complete list) –

• 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)

• Cypriot Orthodox Church (complete list) –

• 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)

• Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church –

• 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)

• Georgian Orthodox Church –

• Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia (1977–present)

• Church of Greece (complete list) –

• Christodoulos of Athens, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece (1998–2008)
• Ieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece (2008–present)

• Polish Orthodox Church –

• Sawa (Hrycuniak) of Poland, Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland (1998–present)

• Romanian Orthodox Church –

• Teoctist I, Patriarch of All Romania (1986–2007)
• Daniel Ciobotea, Patriarch of All Romania (2007–present)

• Russian Orthodox Church (complete list) –

• 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)

• Serbian Orthodox Church (complete list) –

• 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)

• Orthodox Church of Finland – (complete list)

• John Rinne, Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland (1987–2001)
• Leo Makkonen Archbishop of Karelia and All Finland (2001–present)
• Greek Orthodox Church of Epirus - Metropolitan Mar Melchizedek (2021-present)

Partial Communion

• Orthodox Church in America, North America (complete list) –

• 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

• Armenian Apostolic Church (complete list) –

• Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians (1999–present)

• Armenian Apostolic Church (complete list) –

• Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia (1995–present)

• Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria (complete list) –

• Shenouda III of Alexandria, Pope and Patriarch (1971–2012)
• Theodoros II of Alexandria, Pope and Patriarch (Pope Tawadros II) (2012–present)

• Eritrean Orthodox Church –

• 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)

• Ethiopian Orthodox Church (complete list) –

• Abune Paulos, Abuna and Patriarch (1992–2012)
• Abune Mathias, Abuna and Patriarch (2013–present)

• Syriac Orthodox Church –

• Ignatius Zakka I Iwas (1980–2014)
• Ignatius Aphrem II Karim (2014–present)

• Indian Orthodox Church (complete list) –

• 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)

• Malabar Independent Syrian Church –

• Joseph Mar Koorilose IX (1986–2001)
• Cyril Mar Baselios I (2001–present)

Protestantism

• National Association of Evangelicals –

• 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

• Baptist World Alliance —

• General Secretaries

• Denton Lotz (1988–2007)
• Neville Callam (2008–present)

• Presidents

• Billy Kim (2000–2005)
• David Coffey (2005–2010)
• John Upton (2010–present)

Africa

• Baptist Convention of Angola –

• Mateus Chaves, President (c. 2010)
• Alexandre Melo Chilanda, General Secretary (c. 2010)

• Nigerian Baptist Convention –

• President

• Uche Enyioha, President (c. 2010)

• General Secretary and CEO

• S. T. Ola Akande, General Secretary
• S. Ola Fadeji, General Secretary
• Solomon Ademola Ishola, General Secretary (c. 2010)

Asia

• Paku Karen Baptist Association (Burma) –

• Letta, Executive Secretary
• Kooler, Executive Secretary
• Augustus Spurgeon, Executive Secretary
• Caleb Paw, Executive Secretary
• Paul Htoo, Executive Secretary (c. 2010)

• Association of Fundamental Baptist Churches in the Philippines –

• Arleen D. Fidel, Chairman (2004–present)

India

• Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang –

• O. Alem, General Secretary (c. 2010)

• Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars –

• T. Ch. Immanuel, President (2006–present)
• M. Ashok Kumar, Secretary (2006–present)

• Manipur Baptist Convention –

• Vumthang Sitlhou, General Secretary (c. 2010)

• Tripura Baptist Christian Union –

• Rajani Kaipeng, General Secretary (c. 2010)

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

• Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia — Malkhaz Songulashvili, Bishop (present)
• Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists —

• Peter Konovalchuk, President (1994–2002)
• Yuri Sipko, President (2002–2010)
• Alexey Smirnov, President (2010–2018)
• Peter Mickiewicz, President (2018–present)

• Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists of Kazakhstan —

• Frans G. Tissen, President (present)

Europe, regional

• European Baptist Federation –

• Tony Peck, General Secretary (c. 2010)

• International Baptist Convention –

• Jimmy Martin, General Secretary (c. 2010)

Europe, national

• Baptist Union of Romania –

• Paul Negruţ, President (?–2007)
• Otniel Bunaciu, President (2007–present)

• Convention of the Hungarian Baptist Churches of Romania –

• Borzási István, President (c. 2010)

United Kingdom

• Baptist Union of Great Britain –

• Jonathan Edwards, General Secretary (c. 2010)

North America

Canada

• Baptist General Conference of Canada –

• Jamey McDonald, Executive Director (c. 2010)

• Canadian Baptist Ministries –

• Gary Vincent Nelson, General Secretary (c. 2010)

• Canadian Baptists of Western Canada –

• Jan Paasuke, President of the Board (c. 2010)

• Sovereign Grace Fellowship of Canada –

• Roger Fellows, General Coordinator (2001–NA)
• Mark Hudson, General Coordinator (c. 2010)

United States

• Alliance of Baptists –

• Brooks Wicker, President (c. 2010)

• American Baptist Churches USA –

• A. Roy Medley, General Secretary (c. 2010)

• Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America –

• Gordon Taylor, Coordinator (2008–present)

• Baptist Bible Fellowship International –

• Linzy Slayden, President (c. 2010)

• Baptist General Conference –

• Jerry Sheveland, President (c. 2010)

• Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty –

• J. Brent Walker – Executive Director (1999–2016)
• Amanda Tyler - Executive Director (2017–present)

• Baptist Missionary Association of America –

• John David Smith, Executive Director, (2010–present)

• Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America –

• Cheryl Dudley, President, (2008–2011)

• Conservative Baptist Association of America –

• Stephen LeBar, Executive Director (2004–2009)
• Stan Rieb, National Network Facilitator, (2009–present)

• Cooperative Baptist Fellowship –

• Daniel Vestal, Coordinator (1996–present)

• Enterprise Association of Regular Baptists –

• Eugene Dickerson, Moderator (c. 2010)
• Roger Ball, President (c. 2010)

• Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship –

• Paul S. Morton, International Presiding Bishop (1994–present)

• Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International –

• John Vaughn, President (c. 2010)

• General Association of General Baptists –

• James Murray, interim Executive Director (c. 2010)

• General Association of Regular Baptist Churches –

• John Greening, National Representative (c. 2010)

• National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. –

• Stephen J. Thurston, President (c. 2010)
• Samuel C. Tolbert, General Secretary (c. 2010)

• National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. –

• William J. Shaw, President (1999–2009)
• Julius R. Scruggs, President (2009–2014)
• Jerry Young, President (2014–present)

• North American Baptist Conference –

• Rob McCleland, Executive Director (c. 2010)

• Ohio Valley Christian Baptist Church of God –

• Paul Hagen, General Superintendent (c. 2010)
• Delmar Rogers, General Secretary (c. 2010)

• Progressive National Baptist Convention –

• General Secretary

• Walter Parrish III, General Secretary (c. 2010)

• President

• T. DeWitt Smith, Jr., President (?–2010)
• Carroll A. Baltimore, President (2010–2014)
• James C. Perkins, President (2014–present)

• Southern Baptist Convention (complete list) –

• 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)

• United American Free Will Baptist Church –

• Henry J. Rodmon, General Bishop (c. 2010)

Holiness

• Christian and Missionary Alliance (U.S.) –

• David Rambo, President (c. 1987–2005)
• Gary Benedict, President (2005–2013)

• Church of the Nazarene –

• 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)

• Pillar of Fire International –

• Robert Barney Dallenbach, General Superintendent (2000–2008)^[2]
• Joseph Gross, General Superintendent (2008–present)^[3]

• Salvation Army –

• 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

• Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference –

• Steven P. Petersen, President (2008–2011)
• Daniel Koelpin, President (2011–present)

• International Lutheran Council –

• 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)

• Lutheran World Federation –

• 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

• Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia –

• 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)

• Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland –

• Jukka Paarma, Archbishop of Turku (1998–2010)
• Kari Mäkinen, Archbishop of Turku (2010–2018)
• Tapio Luoma, Archbishop of Turku (2018–present)

• Church of Norway –

• Harald V of Norway, King of Norway (1991–present)

• Swedish Church –

• 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

• Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod –

• Alvin L. Barry, President (1992–2001)
• Robert T. Kuhn, President (2001)
• Gerald B. Kieschnick, President (2001–2010)
• Matthew C. Harrison, President (2010–present)

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America –

• H. George Anderson, Presiding Bishop (1995–2001)
• Mark Hanson, Presiding Bishop (2001–2013)
• Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop (2013–present)

• Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ –

• William Sullivan, National Service Coordinator (2002–2010)
• Mark Vander Tuig, National Service Coordinator (2010–present)

• Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod –

• Karl R. Gurgel, President (1993–2007)
• Mark G. Schroeder, President (2007–present)

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada –

• Telmor Sartison, National Bishop (1993–2001)
• Raymond Schultz, National Bishop (2001–2007)
• Susan Johnson, National Bishop (2007–present)

Methodism

• African Methodist Episcopal Church –

• Clement W. Fugh, General Secretary (2000–present)

• Chinese Methodist Church in Australia –

• Albert Chiew, Bishop (c. 2008–2010)
• James Kwang, Bishop (2010–present)

• Free Methodist Church in Canada –

• Keith A. Elford, Bishop (1997–2017)
• Cliff Fletcher, Bishop (2017–present)

• Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas –

• Nathaniel P. Lazaro, General Superintendent (2000–present)

• Methodist Church Ghana –

• Samuel Asante Antwi, President and Presiding Bishop (1997–2003)
• Robert Aboagye-Mensah, Presiding Bishop (2003–2009)^[4]
• Emmanuel Asante, Presiding Bishop (2009–present)

• Methodist Church in Malaysia –

• Peter Chio, Bishop (?–2004)
• Hwa Yung, Bishop (2004–present)

• Methodist Church of Southern Africa –

• 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)

• United Methodist Church –

• 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

• World Assemblies of God Fellowship –

• Thomas E. Trask, Chairman (2000–2008)
• George O. Wood, Chairman (2008–2022)

• Assemblies of God, United States –

• Thomas E. Trask, General superintendent (1993–2007)
• George O. Wood, General superintendent (2007–2017)
• Doug E. Clay, General superintendent (2017–present)

• Grace Communion International (until 2009, called the Worldwide Church of God from 1968 to 2009) –

• Joseph Tkach, Jr., President and pastor general (1995–present)

• New Apostolic Church –

• Richard Fehr, Chief apostle (1988–2005)
• Wilhelm Leber, Chief apostle (2005–2013)
• Jean-Luc Schneider (2013–present)^[5]

Presbyterianism

• Church of Scotland (complete list) —

• 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)

• Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (complete list) —

• 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^[6]
    • Richard L. Hamm (1993-2003)
    • William "Chris" Hobgood, interim (2003–2005)
    • Sharon E. Watkins (2005–2017)
    • Teresa Hord Owens (2017–Present)^[7]
  • Moderator of the General Assembly^[8]
    • 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)^[9]
• Seventh-day Adventists (complete list) –

• Jan Paulsen, General Conference President (1999–2010)
• Ted N. C. Wilson, General Conference President (2010–present)

• General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches (UK)

Liz Slade, Chief Officer (2019–present)

• Uniting Church in Australia –

• 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)^[10]
• Colleen Geyer, General Secretary (2016–present)

• United Church of Canada –

• 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–present)

Anglicanism

Provinces of the Anglican Communion

• Church of England –

• 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)

• Anglican Church of Australia (complete list)–

• Peter Carnley, Primate (2000–2005)
• Phillip Aspinall, Primate (2005–2014)
• Philip Freier, Primate (2014–2020)
• Geoffrey Smith, Primate (2020–present)

• Anglican Church of Canada –

• Michael Peers, Primate (1986–2004)
• Fred Hiltz, Primate (2007–2019)
• Linda Nicholls, Primate (2019–2024)

• Episcopal Church in the United States of America –

• 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 Catholic Church
  • John Charles Vockler, Metropolitan of the Original Province (2001-2005)
  • Mark Haverland, Metropolitan of the Original Province (2005-present)
• Anglican Orthodox Church – Jerry L. Ogles, Presiding Bishop (2003–present)
• Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas

• 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)

• Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans – Eliud Wabukala, Chairman (2008–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)

• North American Anglican Conference

• 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)

• Orthodox Anglican Communion –

• 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)

• Traditional Anglican Communion –

• 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)

• United Episcopal Church of North America –

• Stephen C. Reber, Presiding Bishop (1996–2010)
• Peter D. Robinson, Presiding Bishop (2010–present)

Other Christian or Christian-derived faiths

• Believers Eastern Church –

• Athanasius Yohan I, Metropolitan (1993–2024)
• Samuel Theophilus, Metropolitan (2024–present)

• Church of God Ministry of Jesus Christ International

• María Luisa Piraquive, World Leader (1996–present)

• Assyrian Church of the East –

• Mar Dinkha IV, Patriarch (1976–2015)
• Mar Gerwargis III, Patriarch (2015–2021)
• Mar Awa III, Patriarch (2021–present)

• Ancient Church of the East –

• Mar Addai II, Patriarch (1972–2022)
• Yacob III Daniel, Patriarch (2022-present)

• Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church –

• Philipose Mar Chrysostym Mar Thoma, Marthoma Metropolitan (1999–2007)
• Joseph Mar Thoma, Marthoma Metropolitan (2007–2020)
• Theodosius Mar Thoma, Marthoma Metropolitan (2020–present)

• Members Church of God International –

• Eliseo Soriano, Presiding Minister (1977–2021)
• Daniel Soriano Razon, Presiding Minister (2021-present)

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (complete list) –

• Gordon B. Hinckley, President (1995–2008)
• Thomas S. Monson, President (2008–2018)
• Russell M. Nelson, President (2018–present)

• Iglesia ni Cristo –

• Eraño Manalo, Executive Minister (1963–2009)
• Eduardo V. Manalo, Executive Minister (2009–present)

• Jehovah's Witnesses, Governing Body
  • Lyman A. Swingle (1971-2001)
  • Milton G. Henschel (1971-2003)
  • Theodore Jaracz (1974-2010)
  • Karl F. Klein (1974-2001)
  • Albert D. Schroeder (1974-2006)
  • Daniel Sydlik (1974-2006)
  • Carey W. Barber (1977-2007)
  • John E. Barr (1977-2010)
  • Gerrit Lösch (1994–present)
  • Samuel F. Herd (1999–present)
  • M. Stephen Lett (1999–present)
  • Guy H. Pierce (1999-2014)
  • David H. Splane (1999–present)
  • Geoffrey W. Jackson (2005–present)
  • Anthony Morris III (2005-2023)
  • D. Mark Sanderson (2012–present)
  • Kenneth E. Cook Jr. (2018–present)
  • Gage Fleegle (2023–present)
  • Jeffrey Winder (2023–present)
• National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA –

• 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)

• Unification Church –

• Sun Myung Moon, 'True Father' (1953–2012)
• Hak Ja Han, 'True Mother'/Acting Leader (2012–present)

• World Council of Churches –

• 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

• Ramanandi Sampradaya —

• Rambhadracharya, Jagadguru Acharya (1988–present)

• Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha —

• Krishna Maharaj (1986–2003)^[11]
• Uttam Maharaj (2005–2018)^[12][13]
• Rampersad Parasram, Dharmacharya (2019–present).^[14]

Gaudiya Vaishnavism

• Gaudiya Mission —

• Bhakti Suhrid Paribrajak, president-acharya (1993–2018)
• Bhakti Sundar Sanyasi Maharaj, president-acharya (2018–present)

• Gaudiya Vedanta Samiti —

• Bhakti Vedanta Budhayan Goswami, president-acharya (2020–present)

• International Society for Krishna Consciousness — the members of Governing Body Commission (Jayapataka Swami and others)
• Science of Identity Foundation — Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa (1977–present)
• Sri Caitanya Prema Samsthana — Shrivatsa Goswami, director (1972–present)
• Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math —

• Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami, president-acharya (1988–2010)
• Bhakti Nirmal Acharya, president-acharya (2010–present)

• The Vaishnava Foundation — Kailasa Candra Dasa (1986–present)
• World Vaisnava Association —

• Srila Nayananandana Das babaji, President (1999–2002)
• Srila Bhakti B. Tirtha Maharaj, President (2002–present).

Smarta tradition

• Shankaracharyas —

• 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

• Ahmedabad Nar Narayan Dev Gadi —

• Acharya Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj (1969–2004)
• Acharya Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj (2004–present)

• Vadtal Laxmi Narayan Dev Gadi —

• Acharya Shree Ajendraprasadji Maharaj (1984–present)
• Swaminarayan Gurukul —

• Guruvarya Shri Devkrushnadasji Swami (1974–present)

• Acharya Shree Rakeshprasadji Maharaj (2003–present)

• BAPS —

• Pramukh Swami Maharaj, President (1971–2016)
• Mahant Swami Maharaj, President (2016–present)

• Swaminarayan Mandir Vasna Sanstha —

• 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 (1966–2021)
• Aksharvihari Swamiji Maharaj - Shri Akshar Purushottam Satsang Kendra (1966–2019)
• Jashbhai Sahebji - Anoopam Mission (1966–present)

• Prabodh
• Swaminarayan Gadi (Maninagar) —

• Purushottampriyadasji Swami (1979-2020)
• Jitendrapriyadasji Swami (2020-present)

Hindu new movements

• PrashantAdvait Foundation - Acharya Prashant (2006 - present)
• Art of Living Foundation — Sri Sri Ravishankar, Spiritual Leader, Humanitarian (1981–present)
• Brahma Kumaris — Dadi Janki, Spiritual Head (1937–2020)
• Isha Foundation — Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev (1992–present)
• Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat — Vishaka Tripathi, Shyama Tripathi & Krishna Tripathi, Presidents (present)
• Mahanam Sampraday —

• Upashak Bandhu Bhramachariji (India) (present)
• Kanti Bandhu Bhramachariji (Bangladesh) (present)

• Mata Amritanandamayi Math — Mata Amritanandamayi, Spiritual Leader, Humanitarian (1981–present)
• Ramakrishna Mission/Vedanta Society —

• 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

• Organisation of Islamic Cooperation —

• List of secretaries-general

Sunni

International

• Barelvi movement

• 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)^[15]

• World Sunni Movement —

• Syed Mohammad Saifur Rahman, Chief Advisor (present)

• Deobandi movement —

• Taqi Usmani, Sheikh ul Islam (2004–present)
• Tablighi Jamaat —

• Zubairul Hasan Kandhlawi, Amir (1995–2014)
• position abolished (since 2014)

• International Islamic Council for Da'wah and Relief —

• 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)

• Muslim Brotherhood

• 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

• Taliban —

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

Australia

• Grand Mufti of 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

• Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina —

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

China

• Islamic Association of China —

• Xilalunding Chen Guangyuan, President (present)

Indonesia

• Indonesian Ulema Council —

• 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)

• Muhammadiyah —

• Ahmad Syafi'i Maarif (1998–2005)
• Din Syamsuddin (2005–2015)
• Haedar Nashir (2015–present)

• Nahdlatul Ulama —

• 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

• Grand Mufti of Jerusalem —

• 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

• Islamic Religious Community of 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)

• Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Russian Federation and Russian Council of Muftis —

• 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)

• Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Chechen Republic —

• 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

• Council of Senior Scholars and Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta —

• Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia (1999–present)

• Muslim World League

• Abdallah Ben Abdel Mohsen At-Turki, Secretary General (2000–2016)
• Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Issa, Secretary General (2016–present)

Taiwan

• Chinese Muslim Association —

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

Ukraine

• Spiritual Direction of the Muslims of Crimea (Kyiv) —

• Kirim Esende, Mufti

• Spiritual Directorate of the Muslims of Crimea (Simferopol) —

• Emirali Ablaev, Mufti (1999–present)

• Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Ukraine —

• Tamim Ahmed Muhamed Mutah, Mufti

• Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine "Ummah" —

• 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

• Dar al-Mustafa —

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

Shia

Twelver

• Imams (complete list) –

• Muhammad al-Mahdi, Imam (874–present) Shia belief holds that he was hidden by Allah in 874.

• Marja' (current list)

• Mohammad-Taqi Bahjat Foumani (1993–2009)
• Mohammad Fazel Lankarani (1980–2007)
• Ali Khamenei (1985–present)
• 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)

• Ahl Al-Bayt World Assembly

• Ali Akbar Velayati, General Secretary
• Mohammad Mahdi Asefi, General Secretary
• Mohammad Hasan Akhtari, General Secretary (present)

• Bektashi Order –

• Baba Reshat (1991–2011)
• Baba Mondi (2011–present)

• Religious Council of the Caucasus —

• Allahshukur Pashazadeh, Grand Mufti of the Caucasus (1992–present)

Ismaili

• Dawoodi Bohras –

• Mohammed Burhanuddin, 52nd Da'i al-Mutlaq (1965–2014)
• Mufaddal Saifuddin, 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq (2014–present)

• Alawi Bohras

• Abu Haatim Tayyib Ziyauddin, 44th Da'i al-Mutlaq (1974-2015)
• Haatim Zakiyuddin, 45th Da'i al-Mutlaq (2015-present)

• Nizari Ismailism (complete list) –

• Aga Khan IV, 49th Imam (1957–2025)
• Aga Khan V, 50th Imam (2025-present)

Zaidiyyah

• Houthis –

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

Ahmadiyya

• Ahmadiyya Community –

• Khalifatul Masih IV, Mirza Tahir Ahmad (1982–2003)
• Khalifatul Masih V, Mirza Masroor Ahmad (2003–present)

• Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement –

• Asghar Hameed (1996–2002)
• Abdul Karim Saeed Pasha (2003–2022)

Nation of Islam

• Nation of Islam –

• Louis Farrakhan, head, (1981–present)

Ibadi

• Ahmed bin Hamad al-Khalili, Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman
• Haitham bin Tariq (2015-present), Sultan of Oman

Judaism

Asia

• Israel, (complete list) —

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

• Chief Rabbis of the United Hebrew Congregations —

• Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi (1991–2013)
• Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi (2013–present)

North America

• Union for Reform Judaism (North America) –

• Eric Yoffie, President (1996–2012)
• Richard Jacobs, President (2012–present)

New religious movements

Baháʼí Faith

• Baháʼí Faith, Universal House of Justice
  • Ali Nakhjavani (1963–2003)^[16]
  • Hushmand Fatheazam (1963–2003)^[16]
  • Ian Semple (1963–2005)
  • Glenford Mitchell (1982–2008)
  • Peter Khan (1987–2010)
  • Adib Taherzadeh (1988–2000)
  • Hooper Dunbar (1988–2010)
  • J. Douglas Martin (1993–2005)
  • Farzam Arbab (1993–2013)
  • Kiser Barnes (2000–2013)
  • Hartmut Grossman (2003–2008)
  • Firaydoun Javaheri (2003–2018)
  • Paul Lample (2005–present)
  • Payman Mohajer (2005–present)
  • Gustavo Correa (2008–2013)
  • Shahriar Razavi (2008–present)
  • Stephen Hall (2010–2023)
  • Stephen Birkland (2010–2023)
  • Ayman Rouhani (2013–present)
  • Chuungu Malitonga (2013–present)
  • Praveen Mallik (2018–present)
  • Juan Francisco Mora (2018–present)
  • Andrej Donoval (2023–present)
  • Albert Nshisu Nsunga (2023–present)

Radha Soami

• Radha Soami Satsang Beas —
  • Gurinder Singh, Guru (1990–present)
• Radja Soami Satsang Dayalbagh —
  • Makund Behari Lal, Guru (1975–2002)
  • Prem Saran Satsangi, Guru (2002–present)
• Radha Swami Satsang, Dinod —
  • Huzur Kanwar Saheb, Guru (present)
• Ruhani Satsang —
  • Thakar Singh, Guru (1976–2005)

Scientology

• Church of Scientology —
  • David Miscavige, President of Scientology; Chairman of the Board of the Religious Technology Center (1987–present)
  • Heber Jentzsch, President of the Church of Scientology International (1982–present)

Others

• Eckankar — Harold Klemp, Mahanta (1981–present)
• Elan Vital — Prem Rawat (1983–present)
• Falun Gong — Li Hongzhi, Spiritual Master (1992–present)
• Guanyin Famen — Ching Hai, Supreme Master (1988–present)
• LaVeyan Satanism — Peter H. Gilmore, Magus (2001–present)
• Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness —
  • John-Roger Hinkins, Spiritual Director (1971–2014)
  • John K. Morton, Spiritual Director (2014–present)
• Science of Spirituality — Rajinder Singh, Spiritual Master (1989–present)
• Tenrikyo — Nakayama Zenji, Shinbashira (1998–present)

Other

Jainism

• Śvētāmbara Terapanth —
  • Shri Mahapragya, Acharya (1997–2010)
  • Mahashraman (2010–present)

Mandaeism

• Sattar Jabbar Hilo

Ravidassia

• Niranjan Dass, Sant (2007–present)

Shinto

• Shinto (complete list) —
  • Akihito, Emperor of Japan, head of Shinto (1989–2019)
  • Naruhito, Emperor of Japan, head of Shinto (2019–present)
• Jinja Honcho —
  • Atsuko Ikeda, Chairperson (1988–present)

Sectarian Shinto

• Konkokyo –
  • Heiki Konko, Spiritual Leader (1991–present)

• Kurozumikyō –
  • Kurozumi Muneharu, Chief Patriarch (1973–2017)
  • Kurozumi Munemichi, Chief Patriarch (2017–present)

Unitarian Universalism

• Unitarian Universalist Association –
  • William G. Sinkford, President (2001–2009)
  • Peter Morales, President (2009–2017)
  • Susan Frederick-Gray, President (2017–2023)
  • Sofía Betancourt, President (2023–present)

Voodoo / Vodun

• Beninese Vodun
  • Adanyroh Guèdèhounguè, President of National Community of Voodoo Cults of Benin (CNCVB)^[17]
  • Daagbo Hounon Houna II, Supreme Leader of Vodun^[18]
• Haitian Vodou
  • Demanbre — Augustin St. Clou, King of Voodoo (2016–present)^[19]
  • National Confederation of Haitian Vodouisants (KNVA) — Prospère Louidor, National Ati (Supreme Voodoo Chief) (2021–present)^[20]

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

• Religious leaders by year

Notes

1. Such groups are not in communion with the Pope.