Posts Tagged
Religious freedom
Supreme Court overturns NY church restrictions, Brooklyn bishop says religion ‘essential’ during pandemic

CNA Staff, Nov 26, 2020 / 01:23 pm MT (CNA).- The Supreme Court said Wednesday night that NY state restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic are a violation of the First Amendment’s protection of free religious exercise. After the ruling the Bishop of Brooklyn, whose diocese was a plaintiff in the …
US religious liberty ambassador calls out China for using tech to suppress religion

by Matt Hadro Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 19, 2020 / 12:01 pm MT (CNA).- The U.S. will be working against the use of technology to suppress religious minorities, the religious freedom ambassador announced this week. “The United States announced today that we will pursue the topic of misuse of technology …
Treat churches like businesses during lockdowns, Americans say

by Kate Scanlon Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 18, 2020 / 04:01 pm MT (CNA).- As some states and cities reinstate restrictions meant to stop the spread of the coronavirus, a survey has found that Americans believe places of worship should not be subject to harsher regulations than are businesses. The …
‘We want Mass’: Catholics in France protest ban on public worship

by Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Nov 16, 2020 / 10:04 am MT (CNA).- Catholics in France gathered outside churches in multiple cities this weekend calling on the government to allow them to attend Mass during the national lockdown. Protests took place across France, including in Nantes, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Rennes, and …
Government restrictions on religion reach new peak, Pew Research Center says

CNA Staff, Nov 15, 2020 / 05:01 pm MT (CNA).- Government restrictions on religion are at their highest since tracking began in 2007, the Pew Research Center has said in its new report, finding that 56 countries reached “high” or “very high” levels of restrictions on religion in 2018. “In …
Delaware agrees to treat church services neutrally in settlement over COVID restrictions

CNA Staff, Nov 13, 2020 / 04:40 pm MT (CNA).- The governor of Delaware has settled a federal lawsuit over church-related COVID-19 restrictions, which he had imposed at the start of the pandemic in March. In exchange for dropping the lawsuit, Governor John Carney agreed this week that in any …
Religious freedom becoming ‘second tier right’ warns Supreme Court Justice

by Christine Rousselle Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 13, 2020 / 11:30 am MT (CNA).- Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has spoken of his concern that religious liberty is under threat in the United States. The justice spoke out on Thursday about a range of issues which, he said, were challenging …
Senator Sasse: Questioning Barrett’s faith shows misunderstanding of civics, religious freedom

CNA Staff, Oct 12, 2020 / 06:14 pm MT (CNA).- Senator Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska) on Monday criticized questions aimed at Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s religious beliefs, saying they reflect a fundamental confusion of civics with politics. “Religious liberty is the basic idea that how you worship is none …
San Francisco to allow up to 100 people at indoor worship services

CNA Staff, Sep 29, 2020 / 03:01 pm MT (CNA).- The office of San Francisco’s mayor announced Tuesday that places of worship will be permitted to hold services indoors at 25% capacity, up to 100 people, beginning Wednesday. Restaurants will also be allowed to reopen for indoor dining at 25% …
Archbishop Cordileone: San Francisco Mass restrictions ‘mocking God’

CNA Staff, Sep 20, 2020 / 02:00 pm MT (CNA).- Catholics in San Francisco marched in Eucharistic processions across the city on Sunday to protest the city’s continued restrictions on public worship. “For months I have pleaded with the City on your behalf, advocating for your need of the consolation …