As rebels in Congo take Bukavu, church leaders decry violence, disrespect for international law February 17, 2025By Ngala Killian Chimton OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News After the M23 Rwanda-backed rebels Feb. 16 occupied Bukavu, a second major city in mineral-rich eastern Congo, Catholic bishops and experts are warning this offensive in the provinces of North and South Kivu signals a clear intent to establish a permanent foreign country presence in the region.
Shevchuk: Christ, in need and danger, ‘is waiting for you’ in Ukraine February 17, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, War in Ukraine, World News Major Archbishop Shevchuk shared his thoughts on justice, peace, hope and evangelization amid the war, which has been declared a genocide in two joint reports from the New Lines Institute and the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights.
Bishops’ migration chair invites Vance to dialogue over church’s work with migrants February 14, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, Religious Freedom, World News The U.S. bishops’ migration chair called recent comments by Vice President JD Vance about the church’s work with migrants “a tremendous mischaracterization” while speaking at an event in the nation’s capital Feb. 12. But he also invited Vance to sit down and talk with him to set the record straight.
‘Martyr of the Amazon’: Recalling Sister Dorothy Stang’s ministry 20 years after her murder February 12, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Environment, News, Religious Freedom, World News In the lead up to the 20th anniversary of the death of Sister Stang, who is considered by many as a “Martyr of the Amazon,” a relic containing blood-soaked soil from the site of her murder was enshrined at the Basilica of St. Bartholomew on Tiber Island in Rome on Jan. 10.
Report: Russia weaponizes Orthodoxy to persecute, kill Christians in Ukraine February 12, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News A new report calls for the Russian Federation to be designated a state sponsor of terrorism, finding that Russia is weaponizing Orthodox Christianity as part of a genocidal attack on Ukraine — persecuting Catholics, other Christians and other faith communities in the besieged nation.
Maryland Center for History and Culture receives $2.5 million grant to explore religious tolerance in state February 12, 2025By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Religious Freedom, Uncategorized The Baltimore-based Maryland Center for History and Culture received a $2.5 million grant in January to explore the state’s role in religious diversity with the goal of producing an exhibit on the topic by the fall of 2026.
Faith groups sue over Trump administration policy to permit ICE arrests at churches February 12, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, Religious Freedom, World News More than two dozen Christian and Jewish groups filed a lawsuit Feb. 11 in federal court to challenge a Trump administration policy that rescinded long-standing restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from making arrests at what are seen as sensitive locations, including houses of worship, schools and hospitals.
Trump at National Prayer Breakfast announces new order to investigate ‘anti-Christian’ bias February 6, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News President Donald Trump said in remarks to the National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 6 that he would create a task force, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, to investigate “anti-Christian” bias in the federal government.
Vance defends cuts to foreign aid ‘spreading atheism’ at religious freedom summit February 6, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News Vice President JD Vance defended cuts to U.S. foreign aid in remarks to the International Religious Freedom Summit Feb. 5, arguing the funds were “spreading atheism” abroad.
Congolese bishops say Goma situation remains grave; full scale of human toll still emerging February 5, 2025By Frederick Nzwili OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News As an uneasy calm returned to the Congolese city of Goma, following a unilateral ceasefire declared by the rebels, people began burying the dead, and agencies rushed aid to thousands of displaced civilians, now camping in churches and schools.
Freedom of worship for migrants February 4, 2025By Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Immigration and Migration, Religious Freedom While a raid on church property may not be a legal threat to religious liberty in every circumstance, it is certainly a moral one.
As mass deportations ramp up, Catholic clergy and religious rally for immigrants January 29, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, Religious Freedom, World News Clergy and religious continue to speak out against the Trump administration’s orders to carry out mass deportation operations and allow for immigration arrests in houses of worship, schools and other locations formerly designated as “sensitive.”
