Religious Expression

Husband of Condemned
Sudanese Woman
Reiterates Commitment
KHARTOUM, Sudan, May 31, 2014 -- The husband of Meriam Ibrahim, a Sudanese Christian woman sentenced to death for allegedly abandoning Islam, says his wife is standing by her faith despite possible execution.

Lawyer: Colo. Baker
Forced to Choose
Between Faith, Work
DENVER, CO., May 30, 2014 -- A commission’s ruling that Colorado baker Jack Phillips must bake same-sex “wedding” cakes forces him to choose between violating his conscience and supporting his family, the baker’s lawyer said.

Mozilla Head's Resignation
Over Marriage Stance
Sparks Outcry
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, April 4, 2014 -- Critics slammed Web browser Firefox's announcement that CEO Brendan Eich resigned in wake of controversy surrounding his support of traditional marriage, calling the move intolerant of free speech. 

Vatican: UN Oversteps Its
Boundaries in Report Conclusions
VATICAN, February 7, 2014 -- In a statement released by the Vatican, Fr. Federico Lombardi criticized the U.N. child protection committee for its tone and “lack of desire” to recognize the Holy See’s efforts in protecting children.

Priest Sues After
DOD Locks Down ‘Holy Eucharist’
Forbids Mass for 2nd Week
WASHINGTON, DC, October 15, 2013 (CNSNews.com) -- The Obama administration is continuing to prohibit approximately 50 Catholic priests from saying Mass and administering other sacraments at U.S. military facilities around the world, according to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services.

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.

Religion Plays Irreplaceable Role
In Society, Archbishop Lori Says
BALTIMORE, MD, June 22, 2013--Opening the 2013 Fortnight for Freedom, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore emphasized the unique contribution that religion brings to society, warning that it must be protected and allowed to flourish. 

Diverse Faith Leaders Unite Over
Religious Freedom Concerns
WASHINGTON DC, June 22, 2013--Religious leaders from a variety of faith backgrounds are speaking out against the declining role of religion in society, as well as threats to religious freedom for all faith groups.

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.

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. 

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.