In oral arguments that took nearly two hours, several of the justices found fault with the state’s decision process in determining just how religious a school was to decide if it could participate or not.
Religious Freedom
Posted inFaith, Short Take
Is an L.G.B.T.Q. ‘lifestyle’ compatible with working for Catholic schools? A Seattle task force finds no easy answer.
A task force created by the Archdiocese of Seattle urges more pastoral outreach to L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics. But it declined to press for changes to employment provisions at Catholic institutions.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Amid Ortega’s crackdown on opponents, is the Catholic Church in Nicaragua next?
As Nicaragua prepares for a general election in November, Mr. Ortega has ramped up a broad repression of dissenting voices. Could the Catholic Church be his next target?
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Christian family in Afghanistan appeals to Pope Francis for help fleeing persecution
While the Taliban have promised not to shed any blood, some locals fear that the Islamist regime will lead to persecutions and violence.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Lesson from Hungary: Anti-Catholicism is not a good response to anti-L.G.B.T.Q. laws
Some activists in Hungary have reacted to an anti-L.G.B.T.Q. law by calling for an investigation of the clergy sexual abuse crisis, writes Marc Roscoe Loustau. But turning the crisis into a political football may backfire.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Catholics: We need to talk about sex, religion and politics.
Marriage. Abortion. Gender identity. Adoption by same-sex couples. What happens if exercising my religious liberty in these areas is perceived as discrimination against another person?
Posted inFaith, News
The 8 causes U.S. bishops want Catholics to pray for during this year’s Religious Freedom Week
Adoption and foster care, free speech and church vandalism are some of the topics of concern chosen by the U.S. bishops for Religious Freedom Week, which is set for June 22-29.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
The Catholic Church wants air time in Zimbabwe. But the government is (still) saying no.
Zimbabwe’s broadcasting authorities promise to liberalize national media, but those concessions have not been extended to religious broadcasters at Catholic dioceses.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Should your child get the Covid vaccine? Parents: ask these questions (and answer honestly)
Parents must always weigh the risks and benefits of health care decisions for their children, writes Mary Doyle Roche. In the case of Covid-19 vaccines, they must also consider solidarity with other families.
Posted inNews Analysis, Politics & Society
Joe Biden’s first 100 days: Religious freedom, L.G.B.T. rights and Covid-19 mandates
If Joe Biden wants his presidency to have a lasting impact on religious freedom, he and his fellow Democrats must craft legislation acceptable to Republican senators.