If the House of Representatives passes the Equality Act, its mandates will “discriminate against people of faith” by adversely affecting charities and their beneficiaries, conscience rights, women’s sports, “and sex-specific facilities,” said the chairmen of five U.S. bishops’ committees.
Religious Freedom
Biden reestablishes White House faith-based partnership office
President Joe Biden signed an executive order Feb. 14 reestablishing the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships as a means to work with religious and secular organizations to help with COVID-19 and economic recovery and confront systemic racism.
California bishops welcome court’s ruling easing worship restrictions
Two California Catholic bishops applauded the Supreme Court’s Feb. 5 ruling easing the state’s restrictions on indoor worship put in place with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Catholic publication’s Twitter account locked over tweet about Biden nominee
The editors at a Catholic publication said they are uncertain why an automated social media post was deemed hateful and led their Twitter account to be locked.
Bishops say order on LBGTQ equality has implications for religious liberty
President Joe Biden’s wide-ranging executive order to extend existing federal nondiscrimination protections to LGBTQ people exceeds the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2020 ruling on the issue in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, said the chairmen of five U.S. bishops’ committees.
Critical religious liberty disputes expected for 2021
History may show that religious liberties under the Donald Trump administration enjoyed an elevated level of support not seen perhaps since the administration of President George W. Bush.
Washington Archdiocese sues over D.C.’s 50-person cap on church attendance
The Archdiocese of Washington has petitioned the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to lift the 50-person cap on indoor religious gatherings in D.C.
Court says N.Y. pandemic limits on houses of worship restrict religious freedom
In a 5-4 decision issued just before midnight Nov. 25, the Supreme Court lifted the pandemic restrictions on congregation sizes at houses of worship imposed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Christians, Muslims again top list of faiths facing hostility worldwide
Christians top the list for countries where they face either governmental or social hostility, according to a new report issued Nov. 10 by the Pew Research Center.
Vatican extends provisional agreement with China on naming bishops
The Vatican and the Chinese government will extend an agreement signed in 2018 regarding the appointment of bishops.
Brooklyn Diocese ‘extremely disappointed’ court sided with new COVID-19 limits
After a federal judge sided with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in its court fight against the state’s latest restrictions on houses of worship, the Brooklyn Diocese “is extremely disappointed” but is considering its “appellate options,” Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said in a statement.
China at center of meeting between Pompeo, top Vatican officials
After two weeks of communicating through the media, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin spoke face-to-face about China, the topic of a major difference of opinion.