Joan Andrews Bell, a 76-year-old Catholic and pro-life activist, has been sentenced to over two years in prison for her involvement in a “rescue” at a Washington, D.C., abortion clinic. Three other activists — Jean Marshall, 74, Jonathan Darnel, 42, and Herb Geraghty,...
News: Religious Liberty
Church in Mexico Wins Lawsuit and Will Not Change Baptismal Record of Trans-Identifying Person
A Mexican court has ruled in favor of the Diocese of Querétaro in a lawsuit filed by an individual who identifies as transgender and demanded that the diocese change the sex indicated on the baptismal certificate. The claimant first filed a petition against the...
University Protests Prompt Congress to Pass Controversial Speech Bill
A bill that overwhelmingly passed the House by a 320-91 vote Wednesday evening would require the Department of Education’s division of civil rights to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism when investigating...
Scotland’s New Hate Crime Law Could Criminalize the Church’s Teaching on Sex and Gender
The “Hate Crime and Public Order Act” came into force in Scotland on Monday, raising concerns among free speech advocates. The law creates the crime of “stirring up hatred”, which means that someone who “behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would consider to...
Will Hong Kong’s harsh National Security Law affect the seal of confession?
Hong Kong’s draconian national security law has now come into force, despite generalized international criticism that it could erode freedoms in the city. The law will set life-sentences for treason, stricter sentences for sedition, and up to 14 years in prison for...
Catholic Priests Determined to Remain in Haiti
Violence continues to plague Haiti as the national government loses control. Despite the unrest, local Catholic priests are determined to remain on the island nation to care for those in need, whether that need is spiritual or material. “Where can we go? We have to...
House Passes Campus Religious Liberty Bill
The House this week passed a bill meant to protect the rights of religious student groups at public universities. HB 1518, sponsored by Rep. Brad Hudson (R - Cape Fair), would prevent universities from denying a religious student group the same benefits as other...