Ambassador Callista Gingrich joined Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican secretary for relations with states, and other speakers at an event to discuss the Vatican’s perspective on and fight for religious freedom around the world.
Religious Freedom
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Central African bishops distance themselves from group promising violence
The group calling itself the League of Defense of the Church alleged there was inaction by Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga of Bangui as the church faced attacks, with Christians and priests being killed.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Missionaries of Charity condemn trafficking allegations in India
Facing child trafficking allegations at one of its homes for unmarried mothers in India, the Missionaries of Charity said the order condemns the actions of individuals involved and stressed that these are unrelated to the order.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Rebuilding with US funds, Iraq’s minority religious communities still await security
Last fall, as coalition troops broke through the last major strongholds held by the so-called Islamic State, Vice President Mike Pence delivered a speech to the advocacy group In Defense of Christians in Washington, D.C. In what attendees said was an unexpected move, he focused a sizable portion of his remarks on attacking United Nations efforts to assist Iraqi minority religious groups whose ancient, ancestral homes were ravaged by the militants.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
A campaign to blitz the country with ‘In God We Trust’ laws takes root
This year, five state legislatures passed laws mandating that every public school prominently display the U.S. motto, “In God We Trust.” The addition of Arkansas, which passed such a law in 2017, brings to six the number of states with public school mandates, including Alabama, Florida, Arizona, Louisiana and Tennessee.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
In Europe, religious minorities face mounting hostility and harassment
The Washington-based Pew Research Center issued a report on religious freedom around the world last week that found that Europe registered the sharpest increase in “social hostilities concerning religion” in 2016, the last year for which it has full statistics.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
There is religious bigotry behind Trump’s travel ban. The Supreme Court should have known better.
The Supreme Court ruling in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case was correct, but the Trump travel ban showed even more bigotry toward religious belief.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
King of Jordan wins Templeton Prize for fostering Muslim cooperation
King Abdullah II of Jordan has won the 2018 Templeton Prize for promoting dialogue and cooperation between Muslims of differing traditions.
Posted inFaith, News
“Serving Others in God’s Love,” is the theme for 2018 Religious Freedom Week
The U.S. Catholic Church’s 2018 religious freedom observance begins June 22, the feast of two English martyrs who fought religious persecution — Sts. John Fisher and St. Thomas More — and ends June 29, the feast of two apostles martyred in Rome — Sts. Peter and Paul.
Posted inEditorials, Politics & Society
The Editors: The Supreme Court punted on the wedding cake case—and gave the country an opportunity
This decision offers Catholics—and indeed all Americans—a welcome opportunity to step away from the trenches of the culture war.