Freedom of speech
The Latest
Nearly 60,000 join call for UK prime minister to safeguard right to pray silently
The letter, circulated by Alliance Defending Freedom UK, notes that buffer zone laws “have quickly become thought- and speech-restricting ‘censorship... Read more
Secular university’s head of Holocaust studies finds ‘warmer welcome’ at Catholic university
“To my surprise as both a scholar and a Jew, I feel a warmer welcome and more commonality of purpose... Read more
Indiana Catholic couple asks Supreme Court to hear transgender child custody case
The state of Indiana removed Mary and Jeremy Cox’s son from their home, placing him in another home that “affirmed”... Read more
Iowa Satanic Temple display not protected by First Amendment, Catholic legal expert says
A legal analyst for EWTN said the display installed at the request of a prominent atheist group is not religious... Read more
Supreme Court won’t take case challenging conversion therapy bans
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision on Dec. 11 to refuse to take the case ensures that statewide laws that restrict... Read more
YouTube removes popular Catholic channel, accuses it of being a scam
The religious sisters’ YouTube channel was home to a hugely popular documentary about an Irish nun killed in an earthquake... Read more
Catholic bishops call on Hong Kong government to release pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai
Ten bishops from around the world have called for the release of Lai, who was originally arrested in August 2020... Read more
U.S. bishops: Biden administration’s proposed workplace guidance a ‘chill’ to free speech
The proposed guidance advises that sex-based harassment can include harassment based on a “woman’s reproductive decisions” or gender identity. Read more
Florida judge slams ‘transgender ideology’ in defense of teacher fired over pronouns
The judge said the Miami-Dade school district had imposed “transgender ideology” on the teacher, calling it a secular “state-sponsored religion.” Read more
Woman arrested for silent prayer at UK abortion clinics gets police apology
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce has received a police apology and confirmation that she will not face charges for violating a local “buffer... Read more
Two Catholic universities among the worst for free speech in America, watchdog says
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression listed both Georgetown University and Fordham University near the bottom. Read more
UK home secretary tells police that ‘silent prayer’ is not a crime
Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s comments follow several arrests of pro-life activists for praying outside of abortion clinics. Read more
Appeals court sides with anti-abortion protesters in D.C. First Amendment dispute
The court ruled that the pro-life demonstrators had “plausibly” demonstrated that Washington police had violated their First Amendment rights. Read more
U.S. lawmakers send letter in support of Finns on trial for citing Bible
Member of Finnish Parliament Päivi Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola are facing a retrial for allegations of “hate speech.” Read more
Mexican high court finds ex-congressman guilty of ‘gender-based political violence’ over tweet
Former congressman Rodrigo Iván Cortés will be forced to publish a daily court-authored apology online for 30 days in punishment. Read more
Judge halts law that would restrict Illinois pro-life pregnancy centers
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.](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/storage/image/adam-praying-scaled.jpg?w=220&h=165)
UK man fined for praying outside abortion clinic now faces criminal charges
Authorities have filed criminal charges against Adam Smith-Connor, who was fined in 2022 for praying silently within an abortion facility... Read more
Hate speech bill advances in Ireland amid fears it would silence J.K. Rowling and the Church
The bill bars incitement to violence or hatred against persons on account of protected characteristics. Read more
Witnesses tell House panel that speech is being silenced on college campuses
Four witnesses testified to the absence of free speech at public universities and alleged bias against conservative and religious students... Read more
UK Parliament makes it illegal to pray near abortion facilities
Britain’s House of Commons approved legislation Tuesday to create “buffer zones” around abortion facilities that would prohibit silent prayer. Read more
