Washington Roundup: Trump, Biden to attend papal funeral; ‘Anti-Christian bias’ task force convened April 25, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, Vatican, World News President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, a bipartisan congressional delegation, and former President Joe Biden are among the U.S. officials traveling to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral.
Religious freedom, migration on agenda as Vance meets Cardinal Parolin April 19, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, Religious Freedom, Vatican, World News Against the backdrop of deep differences with the Trump administration over migration and foreign aid as well as concerns for Ukraine and for Gaza, the Vatican secretary of state welcomed U.S. Vice President JD Vance to the Vatican.
Rebuilt Brick Chapel in St. Mary’s City with its new interior features highlights Maryland as a birthplace of religious freedom April 18, 2025By Mark Zimmermann Catholic Standard Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Religious Freedom A major milestone for the Brick Chapel – a landmark of faith that symbolizes Maryland’s status as a birthplace of religious freedom in the United States – unfolded that day, as the chapel’s interior features were unveiled, culminating more than four decades of historical research, archaeological excavation and painstaking reconstruction work.
Church accompanies scarred Cambodians 50 years into the Khmer Rouge genocide April 17, 2025By Simone Orendain Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News On the 50th anniversary of when the Khmer Rouge took power in Cambodia and left close to 2 million people dead, the Catholic Church there, still a fledgling minority, is making strides, according to religious missionaries who have spent significant years of service in the southeast Asian country.
Catholic leaders, public officials condemn violence after attack on governor’s residence April 14, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Catholic leaders and public officials condemned violence and called for peace after an alleged arson attack on the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Nicaragua cracks down further on church during Holy Week April 14, 2025By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Police and paramilitaries maintained a heavy presence outside the Nicaraguan Managua cathedral on Palm Sunday, ensuring celebrations occurred entirely on church property — and sending a not-so-subtle message of intimidation.
Judge issues split decision on Illinois law opposed by pro-life pregnancy centers April 10, 2025By Kurt Jensen OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, Respect Life, World News In a split ruling, a federal judge in Illinois permanently blocked a provision of the state’s 2016 Health Care Right of Conscience Act, which attorneys representing pro-life doctors and the state’s 100 pregnancy resource centers said would compel their clients “to promote pro-abortion talking points with women in need.”
Bill requires homeschooling families, private schools give Illinois students’ personal info March 28, 2025By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, Schools, World News An Illinois bill that compels homeschooling families and private schools to provide the state with the personal information of every student enrolled in some form of private education passed in an 8-4 committee vote March 19 after drawing significant backlash from parents and religious and other private schools.
Catholic religious sisters attacked in Congo as crisis continues March 28, 2025By Frederick Nzwili OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Catholic religious sisters in Congo have become the latest victims of violence as the country grapples with ongoing conflict tied to mineral resources.
USCIRF says government must not retreat from defense of international religious liberty March 27, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News The U.S. should not retreat from its vital role in defending and promoting religious freedom around the globe, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom urged in a March 25 event unveiling its 2025 annual report.
Man charged with terrorism for alleged threat to ‘butcher’ Memphis Catholic churchgoers March 26, 2025By Kurt Jensen OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News A 30-year-old man believed to be homeless was arrested and charged with the commission of an act of terrorism following a threat he allegedly emailed to a music minister at St. Louis Catholic Church in Memphis, Tenn., claiming he wanted to “butcher” people in the church with a machete.
U.S. lawmakers push anti-discrimination bill to protect pregnancy resource centers March 26, 2025By Kurt Jensen OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, Respect Life, World News The language of the latest incarnation of the Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act, a bill aimed at protecting more than 2,700 pregnancy resource centers nationwide from federal and state interference, is not radically different than the language of the one introduced in Congress last year.
