Azerbaijan named among religious freedom violators by religious liberty watchdog
United States RNS An independent watchdog on religious liberty has recommended Azerbaijan be listed among the State Department’s “countries of particular concern” that have committed the most egregious violations of religious freedom. In its annual report, issued on Wednesday, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom also urged the addition of Kyrgyzstan to the department’s […]
Members of US religious freedom panel speak out against China-Vatican deal
Vatican CityRNS Members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom criticised a recently renewed Vatican deal with China, saying it emboldens the Chinese government to crackdown on Christian communities. The secretive provisional agreement, originally signed in 2018 and renewed on 2nd October, allows Beijing to have a say in the appointment of bishops in the […]
Biden names Catholic activist Stephen Schneck to religious freedom panel
United StatesRNS Stephen Schneck, a prominent Catholic political activist and academic, has been appointed by US President Joe Biden to serve on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, a federal government panel dedicated to protecting religious minorities and other persecuted groups abroad. Schneck, 69, confirmed his appointment on Wednesday in an email to Religion […]