The U.S. should not retreat from its vital role in defending and promoting religious freedom around the globe, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom urged in a March 25 event unveiling its 2025 annual report.
Religious Freedom
Man charged with terrorism for alleged threat to ‘butcher’ Memphis Catholic churchgoers
A 30-year-old man believed to be homeless was arrested and charged with the commission of an act of terrorism following a threat he allegedly emailed to a music minister at St. Louis Catholic Church in Memphis, Tenn., claiming he wanted to “butcher” people in the church with a machete.
U.S. lawmakers push anti-discrimination bill to protect pregnancy resource centers
The language of the latest incarnation of the Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act, a bill aimed at protecting more than 2,700 pregnancy resource centers nationwide from federal and state interference, is not radically different than the language of the one introduced in Congress last year.
Myanmar junta allegedly torches Catholic cathedral in Kachin
The military junta in Myanmar’s strife-torn Kachin state allegedly burned down a Catholic cathedral dedicated to St. Patrick on the eve of the revered saint’s feast.
Kidnappers kill young Nigerian seminarian
A young seminarian has become the latest victim of killings in Nigeria, the West African country where attack and kidnapping of Catholic clergy is on the rise.
Wichita Catholic church vandalized in what bishops’ call ‘hate crime’
A Catholic church in Kansas has been targeted in what that state’s bishops are calling a “hate crime.”
Republican congressman pushes administration to place Nigeria on religious freedom watch list
A Republican lawmaker urged the Trump administration on March 12 to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” in response to violence in that country perpetuated against predominantly Christian communities.
Church leaders condemn killings, urge prayers amid horrific Syria violence
Syria’s top Christian leaders have condemned the killing and wounding of hundreds of Alawites, many of them civilians, by security forces and gunmen linked to the country’s new Islamist rulers.
God, honor, homeland: Polish ‘cursed soldiers’ remembered for their steadfast faith
The story of the Polish “cursed soldiers” is about the highest price one can pay for their desire for freedom and one about an unconditional trust in God.
Pastoral center in northern Myanmar among latest Catholic sites bombed by governing military junta
A Catholic pastoral center in northern Myanmar is among the latest Christian sites bombed by the country’s governing military junta.
India’s top court to hear appeal to end Dalit oppression in parish
In what is billed as a first in history, India’s Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal seeking to end discrimination against socially poor Dalit Catholics in a parish in southern India.
Lenten campaign focuses on persecuted Christians; priest’s murder makes message more urgent
Aid to the Church in Need’s call to the faithful to reflect this Lenten season on the persecution of Christians has taken on more urgency with the news that a Nigerian priest was found murdered on Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.