religious freedom

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Pope Francis and UN Secretary General António Guterres in the Vatican Apostolic Palace Dec. 20, 2019.

Pope Francis and UN Secretary General record video urging religious freedom, climate protection

Dec 20, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis and the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres recorded a video message together at the Vatican Friday in... Read more

The White House, Washington, DC.

White House hosts Catholic leaders for religious freedom briefing

Dec 17, 2019

By Matt Hadro

The off the record briefing, held in the Indian Treaty room of the Executive Office Building, focused on “life, religious... Read more

United States Capitol Building - Washington DC. Via Shutterstock

New House bill targets religious persecution in Crimea

Dec 16, 2019

By Matt Hadro

A bipartisan bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives to hold Russia accountable for what Congressmen claim is the... Read more

Birth Control.

New Jersey bishop opposes contraception bill removing religious exemption

Dec 13, 2019

A New Jersey bishop is calling on legislators to amend a bill that would force religious groups to fund contraceptive... Read more

St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, Australia.

Revisions announced to Australia religious freedom bill 

Dec 12, 2019

Following religious groups’ criticism of an Australian bill intended to protect religious freedom, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Attorney-General Christian... Read more

US education department may allow religious to receive federal student aid

Dec 11, 2019

By Matt Hadro

The US Department of Education is proposing to restore eligibility to members of religious orders for certain federal higher education... Read more

Uighurs learn gardening at reeducation camp (vocational skills training center) in Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture in Xinjiang.

China punishes families of those who speak out in America, Congress hears

Dec 10, 2019

A Uighur-American whose mother has been held captive in a Chinese detention camp was one of several witnesses to testify... Read more

The United States capitol building.

Congress advances bill condemning China ‘re-education’ camps

Dec 6, 2019

The House of Representatives this week passed legislation recognizing the mass detention of Uyghurs and other abuses committed by the... Read more

Australia's bishops protest national move to force priests to reveal confessions

Dec 2, 2019

Australia’s Catholic bishops support “nationally consistent” reporting standards for the abuse of minors, but cannot support new national legal standards... Read more

Pope Francis greets Cardinal Luis Francisco Ladaria, who as prefect of the CDF, leads the International Theological Commission.

Pope Francis: Synodality is what the Lord expects of the Church

Nov 29, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis told the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s theological commission Friday that synodality will be key for... Read more

A Coptic Christian boy lights a candle at a church in Cairo.

Christian activist’s arrest in Egypt prompts warnings of crackdown on dissent

Nov 27, 2019

Human rights groups have voiced concern over the arrest of a Coptic Christian activist in Egypt, on terrorism-related charges. Critics... Read more

Proposed changes to US Commission on International Religious Freedom draw fire

Nov 22, 2019

With the current authorization for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expiring this year, proposed changes to the... Read more

Pope Francis with religious leaders Nov. 22 at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.

Religious freedom a 'moral imperative,' pope tells leaders of major religions in Thailand

Nov 22, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

In a meeting with leaders of major religions in Thailand Friday, Pope Francis stressed the importance of upholding human dignity... Read more

Catholics kneeling inside the grounds of the church in Wu Gao Zhang, Oct. 31, 2019.

Chinese authorities offer land for new church after demolition protest

Nov 4, 2019

Chinese authorities have offered a compensation to a Catholic community for the destruction of their church. The offer comes after... Read more

Pete Buttigieg speaks at the National Action Network Convention on April 4, 2019.

Buttigieg's comments on restricting religious freedom prompt calls for clarification

Nov 4, 2019

By Matt Hadro

Democratic primary candidate Pete Buttigieg has said that religious freedom must be curbed if it is used to “harm,” prompting... Read more

Sign outside the Department of Health and Human Services building in downtown Washington, DC.

HHS changes rules to protect religious adoption agencies

Nov 1, 2019

By Matt Hadro

The rule change by the Department of Health and Human Services means that faith-based adoption agencies to continue receiving federal funding without matching children... Read more

Rainbow Kentucky flag.

Kentucky shirtmaker wins discrimination case over LGBT festival

Nov 1, 2019

By Matt Hadro

The Kentucky state Supreme Court on Thursday ruled in favor of a Christian business owner who declined to serve an... Read more

Ohio teen disqualified from cross-country race over hijab

Oct 25, 2019

An Ohio teen is speaking out after being disqualified from an Oct. 19 cross-country meet because she was wearing a... Read more

Hearing warns of increasing attacks on holy sites, houses of worship

Oct 24, 2019

The protection of holy sites and houses of worship was the subject of a recent hearing held by the U.S.... Read more

Little Sisters of the Poor outside the Supreme Court where oral arguments were heard on March 23, 2016 in the Zubik v. Burwell case.

Appeals court rules against Little Sisters' exemption from HHS mandate

Oct 23, 2019

By Christine Rousselle

Attorneys for the Little Sisters of the Poor reiterated their call for the U.S. Supreme Court to step in after... Read more