Catholics in El Salvador criticize government for moving a mural of Saint Óscar Romero May 29, 2024By Manuel Rueda OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, Saints, World News A recent decision by officials in El Salvador to remove a painting of Saint Óscar Romero from a prominent location in the nation’s main airport and move it to a more secluded area, generated backlash from Catholics and opinion leaders, who have been critical of how the nation’s government is treating national symbols while trying to rebrand the country as a safe and tourist-friendly destination.
Polish church warns of widening conflict over ‘hostile reforms’ May 24, 2024By Jonathan Luxmoore OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News Poland’s bishops have warned of growing conflict with anti-clerical politicians if they press ahead with plans to remove public crosses and curb religious education in the traditionally Catholic country, as church leaders across Europe also cautioned against the “marginalization” of Christianity.
New York upholds abortion coverage mandate; Albany Diocese to appeal to U.S. Supreme Court May 22, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Health Care, News, Religious Freedom, Respect Life, World News The Diocese of Albany, N.Y., said May 21 it planned to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court after New York’s highest court ruled the Empire State can continue to require companies with health insurance plans to cover what it called medically necessary abortions.
Rise in religious persecution fueled in part by authoritarianism, says U.S. watchdog agency May 20, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News An increase in religious persecution around the globe was fueled in part by a rise in authoritarianism, according to a recent annual report.
U.S. watchdog for international religious freedom seeks additional sanctions on Iran May 10, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom called on the U.S. government May 6 to implement additional sanctions on Iranian authorities and security officials amid their increased crackdown on women and girls for “defying” that country’s mandatory hijab laws.
Federal court says Catholic school has right to employ teachers who uphold church teaching May 9, 2024By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, Schools, World News A federal appeals court May 8 ruled in favor of the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, protecting religious schools’ freedom to hire schoolteachers who will uphold their religious beliefs.
Human rights advocate: Dictatorship profanes Nicaraguan churches April 24, 2024By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Authorities in the city of León, Nicaragua, chose an unusual place for setting up a boxing ring and staging prize fights: the courtyard of the local cathedral. They even scheduled the matches for April 19 — just as Bishop René Sándigo of León was celebrating his birthday.
New York’s highest court hears Catholic-led challenge to state abortion mandate April 18, 2024By Kurt Jensen OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, Respect Life, World News The fight by religious groups against New York state’s abortion mandate — requiring most private insurance plans to cover abortion — went to the state’s highest court April 16.
Oklahoma Supreme Court hears case over publicly funded Catholic charter school April 3, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, Schools, World News The Oklahoma Supreme Court heard oral arguments April 2 in a case concerning what would be the first taxpayer-funded Catholic charter school if it survives the legal challenge.
ACN head: God gives believers ‘grace to resist’ their persecutors and ‘remain faithful’ March 15, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News With an estimated one in seven Christians worldwide facing persecution, OSV News recently sat down with Regina Lynch, who in June 2023 was appointed the executive president of Aid to the Church in Need, an international pontifical foundation that supports the church where it is poorest and most persecuted.
For persecuted Christians, hope is ‘our weapon, our shield,’ major archbishop says March 12, 2024By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News Amid persecution, Christians must “be a sign of hope,” said the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
U.S. bishops’ annual religious freedom essay contest opens for high schoolers March 11, 2024By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, Schools, World News High school juniors and seniors are invited to enter an annual religious liberty essay contest hosted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Religious Liberty, along with the USCCB Secretariat of Catholic Education and Our Sunday Visitor Institute.
