Freedom of speech

The Latest

Worcester, Massachusetts, is home to Clark University, Assumption University, and Worcester State University.

Secular university’s head of Holocaust studies finds ‘warmer welcome’ at Catholic university

Apr 19, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

“To my surprise as both a scholar and a Jew, I feel a warmer welcome and more commonality of purpose... Read more

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Indiana Catholic couple asks Supreme Court to hear transgender child custody case 

Feb 16, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The state of Indiana removed Mary and Jeremy Cox’s son from their home, placing him in another home that “affirmed”... Read more

The Baphomet statue from the 'conversion room' at the Satanic Temple in Salem, Massachusetts, Oct. 8, 2019.

Iowa Satanic Temple display not protected by First Amendment, Catholic legal expert says

Dec 14, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

A legal analyst for EWTN said the display installed at the request of a prominent atheist group is not religious... Read more

U.S. Capitol viewed through the columns of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

Supreme Court won’t take case challenging conversion therapy bans

Dec 11, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision on Dec. 11 to refuse to take the case ensures that statewide laws that restrict... Read more

CNA

YouTube removes popular Catholic channel, accuses it of being a scam

Nov 22, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The religious sisters’ YouTube channel was home to a hugely popular documentary about an Irish nun killed in an earthquake... Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Catholic bishops call on Hong Kong government to release pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai

Nov 8, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Ten bishops from around the world have called for the release of Lai, who was originally arrested in August 2020... Read more

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U.S. bishops: Biden administration’s proposed workplace guidance a ‘chill’ to free speech

Nov 1, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

The proposed guidance advises that sex-based harassment can include harassment based on a “woman’s reproductive decisions” or gender identity. Read more

Alumni of Loyola Marymount University have launched a petition drive calling for the Los Angeles-area Catholic school to stop encouraging students to use preferred pronouns tied to their gender identity.

Florida judge slams ‘transgender ideology’ in defense of teacher fired over pronouns

Oct 13, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The judge said the Miami-Dade school district had imposed “transgender ideology” on the teacher, calling it a secular “state-sponsored religion.” Read more

“This isn’t 1984, but 2023 —I should never have been arrested or investigated simply for the thoughts I held in my own mind,” Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who was arrested for praying outside of an abortion clinic, said Sept. 22, 2023.

Woman arrested for silent prayer at UK abortion clinics gets police apology

Sep 22, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce has received a police apology and confirmation that she will not face charges for violating a local “buffer... Read more

Georgetown University.

Two Catholic universities among the worst for free speech in America, watchdog says

Sep 8, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression listed both Georgetown University and Fordham University near the bottom. Read more

A pro-life woman is arrested for praying silently in alleged violation of a local buffer zone law.

UK home secretary tells police that ‘silent prayer’ is not a crime

Sep 8, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s comments follow several arrests of pro-life activists for praying outside of abortion clinics. Read more

Metropolitan Police arrest a Students for Life volunteer, Aug. 1, 2020.

Appeals court sides with anti-abortion protesters in D.C. First Amendment dispute

Aug 17, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The court ruled that the pro-life demonstrators had “plausibly” demonstrated that Washington police had violated their First Amendment rights.  Read more

Supporters of Päivi Räsänen Juhana Pohjola outside Helsinki District Court, Finland, on Jan. 24, 2022.

U.S. lawmakers send letter in support of Finns on trial for citing Bible

Aug 11, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Member of Finnish Parliament Päivi Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola are facing a retrial for allegations of “hate speech.” Read more

Former congressman Rodrigo Iván Cortés will be forced to publish a daily court-authored apology online for 30 days in punishment for having referred to congressional representative Salma Luévano as a man.

Mexican high court finds ex-congressman guilty of ‘gender-based political violence’ over tweet

Aug 10, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Former congressman Rodrigo Iván Cortés will be forced to publish a daily court-authored apology online for 30 days in punishment. Read more

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Judge halts law that would restrict Illinois pro-life pregnancy centers 

Aug 4, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Crisis pregnancy centers had sued the state over the law, which they say limits their freedom of speech. Read more

Adam Smith-Connor was fined for “praying for [his] son, who is deceased” near an abortion facility in Bournemouth, England.

UK man fined for praying outside abortion clinic now faces criminal charges

Aug 4, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Authorities have filed criminal charges against Adam Smith-Connor, who was fined in 2022 for praying silently within an abortion facility... Read more

Critics of the Hate Speech bill worry that it could criminalize the speech of people such as author J.K. Rowling, who has said that "transgender women" are not actually women.

Hate speech bill advances in Ireland amid fears it would silence J.K. Rowling and the Church

May 2, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The bill bars incitement to violence or hatred against persons on account of protected characteristics. Read more

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Witnesses tell House panel that speech is being silenced on college campuses 

Mar 30, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Four witnesses testified to the absence of free speech at public universities and alleged bias against conservative and religious students... Read more

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce

UK Parliament makes it illegal to pray near abortion facilities

Mar 7, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

Britain’s House of Commons approved legislation Tuesday to create “buffer zones” around abortion facilities that would prohibit silent prayer. Read more

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Catholic bookstore sues Jacksonville over law it says is a trans pronoun mandate

Feb 28, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

A Catholic bookstore in Jacksonville, Florida, is suing the city to block a law it says violates its constitutional rights.  Read more