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Linda Gross of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Pembroke Pines, Fla., prays at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church in Key Largo, Fla., during a Fortnight for Freedom pilgrimage June 27 to the five Catholic parishes of the Florida Keys. The pilgrimage and other parish celebrations around the Miami Archdiocese marked the U.S. bishops' fourth annual Fortnight for Freedom urging Catholics to take action to protect religious freedom. (CNS photo/Tom Tracy)

In the face of rising religious persecution of people on the grounds of faith or belief, over 100 parliamentarians from almost 50 countries met in New York City on Sept. 18 and 19 to discuss ways to advance freedom of religion or belief. The event was cosponsored by the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief, a network launched last year in response to the rising crisis of religion- or belief-based persecution by both terrorist groups and authoritarian governments. “There is a global crisis for freedom of religion or belief,” said Baroness Elizabeth Berridge of the United Kingdom, a member of the I.P.P. steering group. “An international problem requires an international response…. Collective action is needed now more than ever.”

This article appears in October 5 2015.