The independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission said it aims to defend the universal right to freedom of religion abroad and makes policy recommendations to the U.S. administration.
Religious Freedom
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Ignore the optics. Trump’s executive order could jump-start the cause of global religious freedom.
President Trump may be a flawed messenger, but his administration is making significant progress in promoting global religious freedom, writes Daniel Philpott of the University of Notre Dame.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Bishop Hying says cap on worship size ‘unjust,’ stifles church’s mission
Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison, Wis., has openly disagreed with local government’s pandemic advisory of limiting the number of congregants at Masses as interfering with “our pastoral mission.”
Posted inFaith, News
Churches worldwide try to balance religious freedom, protecting health
In the United Kingdom, some bishops have criticized a government policy to place churches in the same high-risk category of public places as pubs, restaurants and theaters, which will not be allowed to reopen until after July 4.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
Cardinal Cupich: How Vatican II can help us navigate the politics of a pandemic
For the Catholic community, the penetrating vision of the Second Vatican Council identifies a clear pathway of public engagement and conscience formation.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Justice Dept. says California’s pandemic plan should open churches sooner
The U.S. Department of Justice claims that the state of California’s coronavirus opening plan is hampering the rights of people to resume religious services.
Posted inFaith, News
Poll shows a partisan split over coronavirus-era religious freedom
The poll found Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say prohibiting in-person services during the coronavirus outbreak violates religious freedom, 49% to 21%.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Divided court examines if religious schools exempt from discrimination laws
In this case, the court is asked to determine if the fired teachers fell under the “ministers” category and were therefore exempt from job discrimination protections.
Posted inFaith, News
Christians remain vital to Iraq, says U.S. lawyer who advises Chaldeans
Before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Christians numbered around 1.5 million, but sectarian attacks on churches in Baghdad and other areas soon followed, and the population either headed north or left the country altogether.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Poll: Fewer U.S. Catholics see Christian persecution as an urgent issue
The poll was conducted by McLaughlin & Associates for Aid to the Church in Need-USA, an international papal agency that supports suffering and persecuted Christians in more than 140 countries.