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.
CHA says article ‘perpetuates myth’ Catholic hospitals’ pro-life stance ‘contrains’ care for women February 21, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Health Care, News, Religious Freedom, World News The head of the Catholic Health Association of the United States called it “extremely disappointing” that a USA Today article published Feb. 17 “suggested that Catholic health care’s long-standing commitment to providing care that recognizes the sacredness of each individual — from conception to natural death — somehow constrains care.”
Pence suggests U.S. alter trade agreement with Nicaragua in response to church persecution January 31, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Former Vice President Mike Pence condemned Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega’s anti-Catholic persecution in comments at a religious freedom summit in Washington Jan. 30, arguing the U.S. should alter its existing trade agreement with that government if its religious persecution continues.
Court hears case on federal agencies’ regulatory power that could impact church entities January 23, 2024By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, Supreme Court, World News The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Jan. 17 in a pair of cases concerning the regulatory power of federal agencies and the deference that courts give those agencies in their interpretation of the law, a legal doctrine known as Chevron deference.
