Testimony from survivors of religious repression punctuated the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington.
Religious Freedom
Charter on religious freedom rights released ahead of international summit
Religious freedom advocates released a charter declaring the right of every person around the world to freely believe — or not believe — religious tenets and join with others in a religious community and for believers and religious communities to live peacefully in society.
Vatican expresses concern about proposed Italian law on homophobia
The Vatican has informed Italy that a draft law to fight homophobia and discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity could violate the freedom of Catholics to teach and practice their faith.
Supreme Court rules in favor of Catholic agency in foster case
In a unanimous decision June 17, the Supreme Court said that a Catholic social service agency should not have been excluded from Philadelphia’s foster care program because it did not accept same-sex couples as foster parents.
Supreme Court upholds health care law’s individual mandate in 7-2 ruling
In a 7-2 decision June 17, the Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to the Affordable Care Act, saying the states that sued over the law did not have the legal right to do so.
Indiana court dismisses former-Catholic high school teacher’s lawsuit
An Indiana trial court May 7 dismissed the lawsuit of a former Catholic high school teacher in Indianapolis who said he was fired in 2019 because of his same-sex marriage.
Speakers say Equality Act ‘overly broad,’ will harm religious liberty
A March 22 online webinar on the Equality Act focused on criticism that the legislation is so vaguely worded it would harm religious liberty and obscure biological reality.
Doctors seek permanent relief from mandate to do transgender surgeries
Attorneys for doctors and hospitals argued in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit March 3 that they shouldn’t be forced to perform gender-transition surgeries required under the Affordable Care Act, stressing this is an issue of conscience.
Bishops: If passed, Equality Act will ‘discriminate against people of faith
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.
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.