Freedom>

Massive Sex Trafficking Bust
Applauded by US Lawmaker
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 30, 2013 -- A major U.S. law enforcement operation, which saved over 100 minors from prostitution rings and arrested over 150, drew praise from a congressman known for toughening laws against sex trafficking.

Proclaim Wisdom Of The Church Boldly,
Exhorts Archbishop Chaput
WASHINGTON DC, July 9, 2013--While the search for knowledge is universal, spanning all times and places, true wisdom is found in the Church and points us towards salvation in Christ, said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia.

Bishops Say Concerns Remain
Over Final Contraception Mandate
WASHINGTON DC, July 8, 2013--After an initial analysis of the finalized HHS mandate, the U.S. bishops are warning that despite changes, the regulation still threatens the Church’s ability “to carry out the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.”

Marriage Rulings Pose Obstacle
To Church Teaching, Bishop Says
ROME, ITALY, July 3, 2013--The U.S. Supreme Court's recent decisions on gay marriage will make it harder for the Church to teach Americans about the nature of marriage, the archbishop of San Francisco has said.

Marriage Ruling Raises Questions
Of Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON DC, June 27, 2013--After the Supreme Court narrowly ruled that the federal Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, religious leaders are highlighting the need to respect religious liberty in the United States.

HHS Mandate For Religious Groups
Finalized With Few Changes
WASHINGTON DC, June 28, 2013--The Obama administration announced on June 28 that it has finalized its regulations on the federal contraception mandate as it applies to religious employers.  

Religious Liberty is 'Endangered,'
Warns Hispanic Christian Leader
WASHINGTON DC, June 3, 2013--Current threats to religious freedom in the United States demand that people of faith speak out in defense of their fundamental rights, said Rev. Samuel Rodriguez.

The Catholic Psychologist and
Same-sex "Married" Couples
DULUTH, MN, June 3, 2013--The State of Minnesota recently passed a law abolishing the commonly accepted definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, and replaced it with a definition that requires only two adults, including two adults of the same sex. The law goes into effect August 1. Consequently, from that date forward, the State will recognize three types of marriage: male-female, male-male and female-female. All three will be considered “marriage”, and any effort to distinguish between them based on the commonly accepted definition (male-female) will be branded “discrimination.”

Vatican to UN: More than 100,000
Christians Killed for Their Faith Each Year
QUEENS, NY, May 29, 2013--For reasons I’ve discussed before, elite opinion in the West is uncomfortable with the idea of Christians as a persecuted minority. At least since the Enlightenment, Western intellectuals, as a class, have seen traditional Christians as adversaries to be resisted, not victims to be rescued. The idea that in some circumstances Christians might actually be victims complicates the narrative in unpleasant ways. 

Archbishop Chaput Urges Americans
to 'Wake Up' On Religious Freedom
PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 24, 2013--Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia says Americans need to awaken to threats against religious freedom given the new revelations about IRS targeting of religious groups and the continued burdens of the HHS mandate.

Florist Faces Second Lawsuit
Over Gay Wedding Refusal
SEATTLE, WA, April 23, 2013-- A florist in Washington is being sued for a second time after choosing not to provide flower arrangements for a gay customer's upcoming wedding.  

Bishops Object To Defense Department
Same-Sex Domestic Partners Policy
WASHINGTON, DC, February 15, 2013— Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services USA, and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, chairman of the bishops' Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, voiced concern February 15 about a new Department of Defense (DOD) policy on "same-sex domestic partners" and about related comments made by President Obama in his State of the Union address.

Cardinal George Warns US Secularization
Is More Serious than Elections
Fears Imprisonment, Martyrdom for Successors
CHICAGO, IL, October 23, 2012 -- Cardinal Francis George of Chicago has said that the “secularizing” of American culture is a “much larger issue” than political causes or the outcome of the presidential elections, warning against a rise of anti-religious sentiment and restating his fears of a future persecution in the United States.

USCCB Responds To Biden Mistatement
Clarifies Facts On HHS Mandate
WASHINGTON, DC, October 12, 2012 — Today, the USCCB release a statement disputing a misrepresentation by Vice President Joseph Biden of the consequences of the Federal HHS Mandate on the Catholic Church and people of faith. The statement was made in the course last night's Vice Presidential Debate with Republican challenger Rep. Paul Ryan. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is forcing virtually all employers to include sterilization and contraception, including drugs that may cause abortion, in the health insurance coverage they provide their employees. In many cases, Catholic institutions are self-insured, meaning they will have to pay for such services directly.

US Bishops Say Muslims, Catholics Share Religious Freedom Concerns
Washington D.C., Aug 21, 2012 -- In a statement of support and friendship toward the Muslim community, the U.S. bishops' ecumenical committee leader encouraged trust and collaboration between the two faiths, especially in the task of defending religious freedom in the public square.