In a recent landmark report titled “State of Religious Liberty in the United States,” the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has highlighted critical threats to religious freedom in America. The report, spearheaded by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, and published on January 16, marks the USCCB’s first annual review in this area.
Central to the bishops’ concerns are five key areas: rising attacks on places of worship, particularly following the Israel-Hamas conflict; federal regulations under Section 1557 that might compel doctors to perform gender transition procedures and abortions; challenges to religious charities serving migrants and refugees; the suppression of religious speech on topics such as marriage and sexual difference; and the potential implications of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Pregnant Workers Fairness Act regulations for religious employers.
Bishop Rhoades emphasized the importance of this report in “educating the faithful” and “motivating people to get involved in promoting and protecting religious liberty.” Dan Balserak, the USCCB’s religious liberty director, highlighted the disturbing trend of increasing physical threats to people in places of worship. This includes significant vandalism and crimes against Catholic churches following the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The report also sheds light on broader cultural and legal challenges faced by religious Americans. It cites incidents like the Los Angeles Dodgers’ controversial decision to honor an anti-Catholic group during a “Pride Month” game and the ongoing debates in schools over gender identity, which have intensified legal battles over school choice and religious freedoms.
Another grave concern raised by the bishops is the real and present danger to the lives of people of faith. The bishops say, “There is no greater threat to religious liberty than for one’s house of worship to become a place of danger.” They urged the faithful to foster a society free of hatred and to be vigilant about security in their places of worship.
This comprehensive report not only analyzes the current state of religious liberty in the U.S., but also offers insights into the potential impact of the upcoming 2024 election on these issues, particularly in the context of abortion, gender ideology, and immigration debates.
Pray for religious freedom in the US!
🙏
Editorial credit: II.studio / Shutterstock.com
