By Mark Michael Religious leaders in Quebec are criticizing new restrictions on worship gatherings announced on September 20 as arbitrary and a violation of religious freedom. COVID-19 infections have recently surged in the province, and the new restrictions class worship gatherings with events like barbecues and weddings that are restricted to 25 people in the urban zones … [Read more...] about Quebec Church Leaders Criticize Gathering Rules
religious freedom
Ethics: Religious Liberty Dominates High Court’s Term
By James F. Sweeney The October 2019 term of the Supreme Court of the United States produced an unprecedented number of potentially landmark religious-liberty decisions that were necessitated by the rapid rise of rigid secularism as a major force in American culture and politics. Less than two generations ago, the accommodation of religious belief and practice was simply … [Read more...] about Ethics: Religious Liberty Dominates High Court’s Term
Hong Kong Archbishop Defends New Security Law
[Church Times] Hong Kong’s archbishop, the Most Rev. Paul Kwong, defended the controversial new security law imposed by the Chinese government on the city in a July 10 letter to The Church Times. Archbishop Kwong, who also serves as chair of the Anglican Consultative Council, claimed that the law was necessary to preserve peace in a city disrupted by protests, and that its … [Read more...] about Hong Kong Archbishop Defends New Security Law
Concerns for Pakistani Christians
Religious-freedom activists feel heightening concerns for Pakistan’s Christian minority. Recent months have shown a sharp upturn in persecution and an increasing numbers of blasphemy cases. Now Christians face another imposition after a ruling by Pakistan’s High Court that all citizens must declare their religion when applying for identity documents. Pakistan has strict laws … [Read more...] about Concerns for Pakistani Christians
Calming the Storm
Postcard from Adelaide When the Australian Parliament voted to allow same-sex partners to marry, 61.6 percent of Australians took it as a Christmas gift, and affirmed the decision in a national referendum. The significant minority that opposed the move (38.6%) included many Christians and churches. During the long voting period, debate became acrimonious. There are some real … [Read more...] about Calming the Storm
U.K. May Relax on Church Schools
During the general election in June, the Conservative Party pledged it would insist that schools run by the Church of England take half of their pupils from other denominations and faiths. Now it seems the government seems likely to rescind this promise. It’s an oft-stated mantra of pressure groups such as the British Humanist Association that church schools spread division in … [Read more...] about U.K. May Relax on Church Schools
Bp. Curry on Transgender Case
Biretta tip: Diocese of Oregon Presiding Bishop Michael Curry offers background on his decision to file an amicus brief in Gloucester County School Board v. G.G.: I offer this brief theological reflection to share some of my thoughts and convictions which informed my decision to join with the President of the House of Deputies as signatories to the amicus brief in the … [Read more...] about Bp. Curry on Transgender Case
U.N. Spurns Freedom Watchdog
By John Martin A religious freedom and advocacy charity based in the United Kingdom has expressed anger about a United Nations committee vote to deny its application for observer status with the body giving voice to Non-Governmental Organizations. The application by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), which has been continually deferred since 2009, was finally rejected … [Read more...] about U.N. Spurns Freedom Watchdog