Freedom>

2018 Report on
World Religious Freedom 
From India Comes the Worst Surprise
ROME, November 25, 2018 -- The foundation of pontifical right Aid to the Church in Need has verified a general worsening of the lack of freedom.

Asia Bibi is Free!!!
Praise God!
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, October 31, 2018 -- The Pakistan Supreme Court Wednesday overturned the death sentence of Asia Bibi, a Roman Catholic woman convicted of blasphemy in 2010, after reserving judgment on the verdict earlier this month.

US House Passes Bill
Targeting Sex Traffickers
WASHINGTON, DC, March 10, 2018 -- The House of Representatives passed a bill this week that aims to combat online trafficking, targeting the sites that host ads relating to sex work. The bill has received a mixed reception, however, with some arguing it may be ineffective at achieving its goal.

Court Rejects
Washington Archdiocese's
Advent Metro Ad
WASHINGTON, DC, December 11, 2017 -- A federal court has denied relief to the Archdiocese of Washington, in its request for an injunction that would have allowed it to run bus ads encouraging riders to discover the true meaning of Christmas.

Baker Argues for Cake and Conscience
at Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, DC, December 5, 2017  -- A Colorado baker’s right to express himself through artwork – edible artwork– lies at the center of today’s Supreme Court arguments, say lawyers for Masterpiece Cakeshop owner, Jack Phillips.

Faith, Intellect, Renewal:
Thomas More College Launches
Center to Restore Culture
MANCHESTER, NH, December 5, 2017 -- Seeking the renewal of culture and faith in New England, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts has launched a center that addresses crucial questions for Christians and aims to be a “vigorous public witness to the faith.”

US Bishops: Fighting Racism
Is a Long-term Battle
But a Critical One
BALTIMORE, MD, November 13, 2017 -- Dialogue to foster conversion of hearts is the goal of the U.S. bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, said the group’s chairman in his first address to the bishops’ conference Monday.

How Do We Heal Racial Tensions? 
Start by admitting errors, US bishop says
WASHINGTON, DC, September 27, 2017 -- To address the longstanding racial divide within the United States – and within the Catholic Church in the country – Catholics should learn more about the history of that divide, and honestly engage with that history, and with others attempting to tackle similar issues themselves.

'Anti-Catholic Bigotry' Concerns as
Judicial Nominee Questioned about Faith
WASHINGTON, DC, September 7, 2017 -- A Catholic nominee to a federal circuit court faced hostile questions about her faith from U.S. senators on Wednesday, prompting outrage from Catholic leaders.

US State Department
Recognizes ISIS Genocide
WASHINGTON, DC, August 15, 2017 -- Religious freedom advocates were heartened by the State Department recognizing in its annual religious freedom report released Tuesday the genocide of Christians by the Islamic State.

Vatican Official, at UN,
Emphasizes ‘Right to Remain in One’s Homeland'
NEW YORK, July 25, 2017 -- A Vatican official addressed a UN meeting on migrants and development and emphasized “the right to remain in one’s homeland in dignity, peace, and security.”

Indonesian Christian Governor
On Trial for Blasphemy
JAKARTA, December 7, 2016  -- The Christian governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama ["Ahok"] will be taken to trial on December 13 by the North Jakarta District Court for the case of alleged blasphemy against him, and that last month caused mass demonstrations by his opponents and supporters in Indonesia. 

 Why Religious Leaders Asked Obama
to Condemn his Civil Rights Chair's Rhetoric
WASHINGTON, DC, October 12, 2016 -- A coalition of religious and civic leaders has denounced a report by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights which said appeals to religious freedom are usually just discrimination-in-disguise.