Articles by Matt Hadro
China turns surveillance state on religious gatherings
Jul 22, 2020 / 12:00 pmChina is using advanced technology to monitor both public and private religious gatherings, witnesses told a federal hearing on Wednesday.
Catholic wins right to 'last rites' in hospital ICU
Jul 21, 2020 / 12:30 pmA Catholic woman has won her case to have a priest visit her critically-injured husband at a Maryland hospital, it was announced on Tuesday.
Americans agree: abortion is not a 'desirable good'
Jul 21, 2020 / 09:00 amA new abortion study has revealed the complexity of Americans’ views on abortion, and an openness to discussion. But among the report’s key findings was a unanimous agreement that abortion is not a “desirable good.”
Hagia Sophia as mosque has global implications for religious freedom, experts say
Jul 17, 2020 / 15:00 pmAs Christians and world leaders lament Turkey’s reconversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque, some experts warn that the act could spell a religious resurgence as much as a nationalist action.
Religious freedom is 'foremost' in unalienable rights, US commission reports
Jul 16, 2020 / 14:00 pmA draft report Thursday from an advisory body to the U.S. State Department on human rights says that religious freedom is “foremost” among human rights.
State Department: ‘Threats’ from China won’t stop US fight for Uyghur human rights
Jul 14, 2020 / 11:45 amThe State Department on Monday said that Chinese sanctions of U.S. officials will not stop the U.S. from holding China accountable for abuses of Uyghurs.
Pro-life Texas Democrat says racial slurs won't stop his pro-life advocacy
Jul 14, 2020 / 07:25 amA pro-life Texas state senator running for re-election says he won’t be deterred by racial slurs directed against him by pro-abortion groups.
How Catholics can work to 'expel this demon' of racism
Jul 1, 2020 / 14:30 pmGloria Purvis, host of EWTN’s radio show “Morning Glory,” who has served on the National Black Catholic Congress, said on Wednesday that Catholics need to work together to “expel this demon” of racism through prayer and fasting.
'Soft despotism' of anti-Catholicism on the rise, USCCB religious liberty chair warns
Jul 1, 2020 / 11:10 amThe new leader of the U.S. Catholic bishops on religious liberty has warned of a “soft despotism” of religious intolerance in the U.S. Archbishop Thomas Wenski told CNA that “new Jacobins” are driving Catholics from the public square for their beliefs.
Supreme Court rejects Montana 'Blaine Amendment' in religious schools case
Jun 30, 2020 / 08:10 amThe Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Montana state constitution’s bar on public funding of religious institutions violates the First Amendment.
Analysis: What is the Trump administration doing about the Uyghurs?
Jun 30, 2020 / 06:00 amTrump faces growing criticism for not financially sanctioning senior Chinese officials responsible for what the Congressional China Commission says may be “crimes against humanity” in Xinjiang.
Louisiana abortion law's author denounces Supreme Court decision
Jun 29, 2020 / 11:30 amLawmakers, legal scholars, and pro-life leaders all criticized a Supreme Court ruling on Monday that overturned state safety regulations for abortion clinics in Louisiana.
Supreme Court strikes down Louisiana abortion clinic law
Jun 29, 2020 / 08:07 amThe Supreme Court delivered two decisions Monday on cases concerning life issues. Among a total of three decisions issued by the court June 29, justices overturned a Louisiana state law seeking to hold abortion clinics to the same standards as other surgical centers.
Judge rules New York churches can reopen in line with businesses
Jun 26, 2020 / 13:00 pmA federal judge on Friday ruled that New York must allow indoor and outdoor religious services in the same way it would allow mass outdoor protests, or indoor shopping malls.
Ireland highlighted in State Department human trafficking report
Jun 26, 2020 / 10:30 amIreland received its lowest rating ever by the U.S. State Department for its efforts to combat human trafficking, in the agency’s annual trafficking report released on Thursday.
Trump signs order to support work with faith groups on adoption
Jun 24, 2020 / 15:00 pmPresident Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to bolster the federal government’s work with community and faith-based groups in adoption and foster care.
US religious freedom commissioner says 'no excuse' for Trump delay on Chinese sanctions
Jun 24, 2020 / 12:00 pmA federal religious freedom commissioner has said there is “no excuse” for the Trump administration “delaying action” to place sanctions on Chinese officials for abuses committed against Uyghurs.
After Black Lives Matter controversy, Catholic removed from Florida State student government
Jun 23, 2020 / 07:00 amThe Catholic former president of a Florida university’s student senate says he was removed from office for questioning controversial policy positions of the Black Lives Matter group in a text message thread with fellow Catholic students.
US bishops ask Catholics to pray for Brownsville diocese border wall fight
Jun 19, 2020 / 15:27 pmFor Religious Freedom Week 2020, the U.S. Catholic bishops are highlighting an unusual case—a Texas chapel that could be demolished or cut off by construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Why are Christians leaving Palestinian territories?
Jun 19, 2020 / 03:00 amA new survey of Palestinian Christians reveals that many not only fear economic hardship and the annexation of their land, but are also concerned about the attitudes of their Muslim neighbors.