religious freedom
The Latest
Idaho governor signs bill to protect religious, conscience rights of doctors and nurses
The new law establishes that Idaho recognizes “that the right of conscience is a fundamental and inalienable right.” Read more
In federal suit, Illinois diocese says state ‘human rights’ law violates religious freedom
The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is arguing in federal court that a state “human rights” law is infringing upon... Read more
Nicaraguan dictatorship tightens monitoring of Catholic priests
The regime is now keeping Catholic priests under surveillance, checking their cellphones, and demanding weekly reports on their activities. Read more
Christians decry plan in India for death penalty for conversions
“A provision for capital punishment will be made in the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act for religious conversion,” declared... Read more
UPDATED: Which states protect churches from closure, 5 years after COVID lockdowns?
There is now legal precedent at the federal level suggesting that states may never shut down worship entirely again. Read more
Church ‘frustrated’ over government takeover of school appointments in Gujarat, India
The verdict “is frustrating for us. We are sad that it came just ahead of the 75th anniversary of the... Read more
Montana bill could require priests to break seal of confession
The proposed bill would “eliminate clergy exemption in mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.” Read more
U.S. bishops voice concern over immigration, gender policies in religious freedom report
The USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty on Jan. 16 issued its Annual Report on the State of Religious Liberty, which... Read more
Christians in northeast India unfazed by bid to revive 46-year-old anti-conversion law
The revival of the dormant law has been brought about by the Guwahati High Court, which ordered the state government... Read more
A new dawn for Syria? Bishop Jallouf highlights Christians as pillars of reconstruction
Bishop Hanna Jallouf, the apostolic vicar of Aleppo and head of the Latin Church in Syria, shared his reflections on... Read more
Chinese bishop focused on adapting faith to Communist Party ideals, Shanghai Catholics say
Bishop Joseph Shen Bin of Shanghai recently gave a diocesan seminar Nov. 4–6 about “Sinicization of Religion in Shanghai.” Read more
Churches around the world lit up red in honor of persecuted Christians
Organized by the Christian aid group Aid to the Church in Need International, “Red Week” has been taking place every... Read more
Catholic leader promotes interfaith unity through charity work in Yemen
Bishop Paolo Martinelli, who serves as the apostolic vicar for Southern Arabia, emphasized the special importance of interfaith dialogue in... Read more
British army veteran convicted of praying silently near abortion clinic
A British army veteran and Christian has been found guilty of praying silently outside of an abortion clinic, facing an... Read more
Kavanaugh: Supreme Court made ‘important strides’ for religious freedom in recent years
Ahead of the United States Supreme Court’s newest term, Justice Brett Kavanaugh lauded recent court decisions that have protected religious... Read more
Yemeni Christians pressured to conform to Islamic law: ‘We were forced to wear the hijab’
A Yemeni Catholic woman born in the 1980s and living in Aden spoke recently about the plight of Christians in... Read more
UK bishops warn new Public Order Act unfairly affects people of faith
Bishops of England and Wales have condemned legislation relating to prayer outside abortion clinics, saying it represents a step backward... Read more
Virginia Knights receive religious freedom award after spat with federal government
A Knights of Columbus council in Petersburg, Virginia, has received a religious freedom award after it won a dispute over... Read more
Religious broadcasters sue IRS over rule limiting political speech for nonprofits
The complaint, filed by the National Religious Broadcasters, argues churches “are placed in a unique and discriminatory status” by the... Read more
Australian archbishop calls for faith protections in wake of shelved religious bill
“It is regrettable that such important legislation is not proceeding,” Melbourne Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli said in a statement. Read more
