In July 14, 2021, address to the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, Smith said China’s leader Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party have exponentially increased persecution against religious believers “in ways not seen since the Cultural Revolution.”
Genocide charges ‘must be pursued,’ Smith says at religious freedom summit
Pope, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken meet at Vatican
Climate change, migration and geopolitical hot spots were on the agenda as Pope Francis met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken June 28.
Photos of the Week: June 28, 2021
In the spotlight: condominium collapse, Spider-Man, salute to K-9 Kitt
‘Solidarity in Freedom’ is theme of USCCB Religious Freedom Week June 22-29
Resources for the week from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are available on a designated webpage.
Papal charity sees increased violations of religious freedom globally
The religious persecution exercised by China and North Korea, restrictions on religious freedom in dozens of countries and the continuing threat of violence at the hands of religious fundamentalists belonging to a variety of faiths all have worsened since 2018, said Aid to the Church in Need, a papal foundation and Catholic charity.
Russian bishops’ official concerned about new religion regulations
New regulations passed by the Duma March 24 will give state officials extra powers to intervene in church life and revive communist-era restrictions.
Campaign aims to foster respect for religious freedom, religious sites
#forSafeWorship is a campaign to engage youth around the globe in raising awareness of religious freedom and cultivating interreligious respect.
Opponents: Australian bill on ‘conversion’ practices is attack on freedoms
Groups across a wide spectrum reacted with dismay and concern to passage of a law in the Australian state of Victoria to ban “conversion” practices. Some called it an attack on freedom of religion and speech.