Religious Liberty News Releases

Statements, op-eds, and other writings from committee chairmen, members, consultants, and staff

2020

U.S. Bishops’ Religious Liberty Chairman Applauds Actions of HHS to Ensure Access to Spiritual Care During COVID-19 Pandemic
October 21, 2020
Responding to Recent Incidents of Vandalism, Bishops’ Committee for Religious Liberty Joins Interfaith Coalition Calling on Congress to Increase Funding for Security Grants for Houses of Worship
October 5, 2020
Bishop Chairmen Condemn Acts of Vandalism, Destruction at Catholic Sites
July 22, 2020
USCCB Chairmen Welcome Supreme Court Decision Preserving the Religious Liberty of Little Sisters
July 8, 2020
USCCB Chairmen Praise Supreme Court Decision Recognizing the Right of the Church to Choose Its Own Leaders
July 8, 2020
U.S. Bishops’ Religious Liberty and Catholic Education Chairmen Grateful for Supreme Court’s Decision in Blaine Amendment Case
June 30, 2020
U.S. Bishops’ Religious Liberty Chairman Announces Religious Freedom Week from June 22-29, 2020
June 22, 2020
U.S. Bishops’ President Appoints Archbishop Thomas Wenski as Acting Chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty
June 22, 2020
President of U.S. Bishops’ Conference Issues Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Legal Definition of “Sex” in Civil Rights Law
June 15, 2020
Bishop Chairmen Applaud HHS Bringing Health Care Nondiscrimination Regulations into Alignment with Federal Law
June 12, 2020
Upcoming Cases Provide Opportunity for Supreme Court to Preserve the Religious Liberty of Little Sisters of the Poor and Other Christian Ministries
May 6, 2020
Bishop Chairmen Strongly Commend Administration for Action to Enforce Federal Conscience Law
January 24, 2020
Supreme Court’s Blaine Amendment Case an Opportunity to End a Shameful Legacy Says U.S. Bishops’ Religious Liberty and Catholic Education Chairmen
January 22, 2020
Bishop Chairmen Applaud Administration Measures to Strengthen Religious Liberty, Embrace Contributions of Faith-based Organizations
January 20, 2020
Bishop Murry Offers Reflection on Religious Freedom Day
January 15, 2020
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Religious Liberty News Release Archive

2019

U.S. Bishops' Conference President Reflects on the World Day of Peace
December 31, 2019
Bishop Chairmen Applaud Repeal of “Parking Lot Tax” on Houses of Worship and Nonprofits
December 20, 2019
Bishop George V. Murry, SJ of Youngstown Elected as Chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty at Fall General Assembly in Baltimore 
November 12, 2019
Bishop Chairmen Commend Administration Action to Prevent Government Discrimination Against Faith-based Adoption, Foster Care, and Social Service Providers
November 1, 2019
USCCB Chairmen Issue Statement on Supreme Court Cases on Redefinition of “Sex” in Civil Rights Law
October 8, 2019
USCCB Poll: Americans Support Conscience Protection for Healthcare Professionals
September 18, 2019
USCCB Committee Chairmen Commend Administration for Actions Enforcing Conscience Law on Abortion
August 29, 2019
USCCB Chairmen Applaud Proposed Regulations Preventing Government Discrimination Against Faith-Based Federal Contractors
August 21, 2019
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz steps down as Chair of Committee for Religious Liberty amidst cancer treatment; Bishop Robert J. McManus of Worcester to serve as Acting Chair of the Committee
July 23, 2019
Bishop Chairmen Welcome HHS Aligning Health Care Nondiscrimination Regulations with Federal Law
May 24, 2019
U.S. Bishops’ Chairmen Respond to U.S. House Vote on Equality Act
May 21, 2019
Faith leaders urge Trump, other U.S. leaders to uphold religious liberty
The Record, April 8, 2019
Coalition Letter: Full Text
U.S. Bishops’ Chairmen Reaffirm Authentic Human Dignity and Rights in Letter to Congress Opposing Equality Act
March 20, 2019
Diverse Faith Leaders and Religious Nonprofits Renew Call to Repeal the “Parking Lot Tax”
March 4, 2019
U.S. Bishops’ Chairmen Condemn Decision Preventing Muslim Man from Receiving Appropriate Spiritual Care at Execution
February 8, 2019
U.S. Bishops’ Religious Liberty Chairman Asks Senate Judiciary Committee to End Religious Tests on Nominees
February 4, 2019
Diverse Group of Religious Leaders Remind U.S. Senators: Religious Tests for Public Office Are Wrong, Unlawful
Religious Freedom Institute, January 17, 2019
Bishops Express Dismay at Court Ruling Enjoining Moral and Religious Exemption to HHS Mandate
January 15, 2019

2018

Bishop Chairmen Express Relief at Modifications to “Parking Lot Tax” But Seek Full Repeal
December 11, 2018
Ecumenical and Interfaith Leaders Ask Congress to Repeal the “Parking Lot Tax”
November 13, 2018
Bishops Applaud Final Rules Providing Expanded Moral and Religious Exemptions to HHS Mandate
November 9, 2018
Archbishop Kurtz: U.S. Society 'Much Richer' When Church, Government Work Together
Crux, September 14, 2018
Archbishop Kurtz: Excluding Faith-Based Providers Harms Kids by Cutting Off Agencies That Can Help Them
The Hill, July 13, 2018
USCCB Chairmen Applaud Supreme Court's Respect for Religious Liberty in Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision
June 4, 2018
U.S. Bishops' Chairmen Applaud Kansas and Oklahoma for Enacting Laws that Keep Kids First in Foster Care and Adoption Services
May 18, 2018
USCCB Looks Forward to Working with White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative
May 4, 2018
Bishop Chairmen, Ecumenical and Interfaith Leaders Strongly Support Legislation Keeping Kids First in Adoption and Foster Care
May 1, 2018
Archbishop Joseph Kurtz Announces Religious Freedom Week from June 22-29, 2018
April 27, 2018
U.S. Catholic Bishops' Chairmen Deeply Disappointed by Congress's Failure to Enact the Conscience Protection Act
March 23, 2018

U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference Chairmen Urge Support for the 'First Amendment Defense Act'
March 14, 2018
Chairmen Call Faithful to Prayer and Action Urging Congress to Enact the Conscience Protection Act
March 6, 2018
U.S. Bishops Chairmen Commend Provisions in Budget Act that Ensure Houses of Worship Can Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance
February 9, 2018
Chairmen Applaud New HHS Initiatives on Conscience and Religious Freedom
January 19, 2018

2017

Faith Leaders Affirm the Inherent Beauty and Dignity of Being Created Male or Female
December 15, 2017
USCCB Chairmen Comment on Supreme Court's Oral Arguments on Religious Freedom of Creative Professionals
December 5, 2017
U.S. Bishops Mark Nov. 26 as Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians
November 21, 2017
U.S. Bishops Elect Archbishop Joseph Kurtz as Chairman of the Committee for Religious Liberty
November 14, 2017
Archbishop Lori: Attorney General's Religious Liberty Guidance Protects Freedom Of Faith-Based Organizations
October 12, 2017
Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop Lori:  HHS Mandate Decision Represents Return to Common Sense
October 6, 2017
USCCB Chairmen Urge Congress to Support the Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act of 2017, H.R. 2405 / S. 1823
September 28, 2017
Religious Americans lead hurricane response, so why does FEMA discriminate? Cardinal DiNardo and Archbishop Wenski, with Rabbis Barry Gelman and Efram Goldberg
USA Today, September 27, 2017
Archbishop Lori: Statement in Response to Senate Judiciary Committee Line of Questioning of Nominee
September 8, 2017
Joint Letter to Congress: 33 Organizations Urge Passage of Conscience Protection Act of 2017
September 6, 2017
Archbishop Lori Applauds U.S. Supreme Court Decision Protecting Religious Liberty
June 26, 2017
Why is HHS contraception order still standing? Trump said it 'would soon be over', Cardinal Daniel DiNardo
The Hill, August 3, 2017
USCCB Chairman Encourages Broadening of Exemption From HHS Mandate
June 1, 2017
Archbishop Lori Panel Discussion: "Interior and Exterior Freedom"
May 25, 2017
Archbishop Lori Talks Religious Freedom, Fortnight for Freedom with John Allen
Crux, May 15, 2017
USCCB President: Today's Executive Order Begins a Process
May 4, 2017
Inclusion Act Receives Continued Strong Support from USCCB Chairmen
April 10, 2017
Archbishop Lori - ACLU Puts Abortion 'Rights' above Refugees
The Hill, March 3, 2017

USCCB Chairmen Ask President Trump to Fulfill His Promise to Protect Religious Liberty
February 16, 2017
Solidarity at the Service of All People in the Middle East
February 10, 2017
USCCB Chairmen Express Solidarity with Muslim Community, Deep Concern Over Religious Freedom Issues, in Response to Executive Order on Refugees
January 31, 2017

2016

Archbishop Lori: Troubling Claims in Report Raise Stakes for Religious Freedom
Catholic News Service, October 18, 2016
Interfaith Leaders Call on President and Congress to Reject Biased Religious Liberty Report
October 12, 2016
Archbishop Lori Responds to Statement of Chairman of U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
September 13, 2016
In Krakow, Archbishop Lori stresses 'charity that evangelizes'
Catholic Review, July 27, 2016
Cardinal Dolan and Archbishop Lori Commend House Passage, Call on Congress to Enact the Conscience Protection Bill
July 13, 2016
USCCB Chairmen Urge Support for the 'First Amendment Defense Act'
July 12, 2016
Cardinal Dolan and Archbishop Lori to Congress: Government's Coercion on Abortion Needs Immediate Remedy
July 7, 2016
Relics of English martyrs draw crowds as part of religious freedom push, Maria Wiering
Crux, July 5, 2016
'This law effectively targets religion', Archbishop William Lori
Our Sunday Visitor, July 1, 2016
Federal Agency Fails To Protect Churches From California Elective Abortion Mandate
June 22, 2016
USCCB President Reacts To Supreme Court HHS Mandate Decision
May 16, 2016
USCCB, Missouri Catholic Conference, Other Religious Groups File Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court To Remedy Religious Discrimination By State Of Missouri
April 25, 2016
Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee For Religious Liberty Releases Video On Meaning Of Religious Freedom, Features Little Sisters Of The Poor
April 12, 2016
Cardinal Dolan And Archbishop Lori To Congress: Support The Conscience Protection Act
April 1, 2016
Archbishop Lori: The Little Sisters of the Poor should win their court case
Crux, March 11, 2016
As March for Life Gathers, New Threats to Human Dignity, Archbishop William Lori
America, In all things (blog) January 21, 2016

2015

Archbishop Lori says proposal to restrict religion raise 'alarms'
Catholic News Service, December 11, 2015
Bishop Cantú Urges Congress To Reauthorize International Religious Freedom Commission
September 30, 2015

Pope Francis stresses vital role of religious freedom
September 27, 2015

Address of the Holy Father at the White House
September 24, 2015

Pope Francis Visits Little Sisters of the Poor
September 24, 2015
Archbishop Kurtz on Same Sex Marriage Ruling and Where the Church goes from here, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz
OSV NewsWeekly, June 29, 2015
Supreme Court Decision on Marriage, 'A Tragic Error'
June 26, 2015
Various religious leaders, including Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued an open letter on April 23, 2015, entitled "The Defense of Marriage and the Right of Religious Freedom: Reaffirming a Shared Witness."
Continuing the Search for Religious Liberty, The Contribution of Dignitatis Humanae, Archbishop William E. Lori
April 21, 2015
Congress Urged to Act for Protection of Religious Freedom and Conscience Rights in D.C.
March 20, 2015
Of Human Dignity, Declaration on Religious Freedom at 50 ,by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Capuchin
First Things, March 18, 2015
Inclusion Act Receives Strong Support from Three USCCB Chairmen
March 9, 2015
U.S. Catholic Bishops Urgently Call for Greater Protection of Middle East Religious Minorities
February 24, 2015
Cardinal O'Malley, Archbishop Lori Urge Support for the Health Care Conscience Rights Act
February 20, 2015
Joint Letter Opposing RHNDA and HRAA to House of Representatives
February 5, 2015
Archbishop Lori Praises Unanimous Supreme Court Decision Protecting the Religious Freedom of Muslim Prisoner
January 21, 2015
Pope Francis issues Clarion Call for Protection of Religious Liberty
National Catholic Reporter, January 13, 2015

2014

USCCB Chairmen Respond to New Department of Labor Regulations
December 5, 2014
Cardinal O'Malley, Archbishop Lori Urge Congress to Include Abortion Non-Discrimination Act in Funding Legislation
November 18, 2014  | Q & A
The Feast of Christ the King, Bishop Timothy L. Doherty
November 16, 2014, The Catholic Moment, Diocese of Lafayette, IN

Freedom to Bear Witness
November 15, 2014, Archbishop William E. Lori, Mount Saint Mary Seminary

Catholics must be heard in Public Square, says German Cardinal
Catholic News Service, November 6, 2014

Catholic Officials warn D.C. Council Bill threatens Religious Freedom
Catholic Standard, September 12, 2014
A Tale of Two Churches
September 7, 2014, Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Cardinal's Column
Archbishop Kurtz Provides Initial Response to Revised HHS Mandate Regulations
August 22, 2014

USCCB Chairmen Strongly Endorse the Inclusion Act
July 31, 2014

USCCB Chairmen Respond to 'Unprecedented and Extreme' Executive Order
July 21, 2014

Hobby Lobby and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop William Lori, Archbishop Thomas Wenski and Bishop Richard J. Malone
July 17, 2014

'More Respect for Religious Freedom' Needed After Failed Senate Vote to Curtail It
July 16, 2014
Cardinal O'Malley, Archbishop Lori to Senate: Oppose Misnamed "Protect Women's Health From Corporate Interference Act of 2014" (S. 2578)
July 14, 2014
A Decision Upholding American Ideals of Freedom, Sr. Mary Ann Walsh
July 1, 2014
USCCB President, Diverse Religious Leaders Come Together To Urge Congress To Protect Religious Freedom Restoration Act
July 1, 2014
A Vital Win for Religious Freedom, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz
The New York Post, June 30, 2014
Supreme Court Decision on Hobby Lobby: A Great Day for the Religious Freedom of Family Businesses
June 30, 2014
Religious liberty in the balance at the Supreme Court, Archbishop William E. Lori
Baltimore Sun, June 25, 2014
Archbishop Lori at Fortnight opener: Catholics should be free to serve with ‘Eucharistic Heart’, Maria Wiering
The Catholic Review, June 23, 2014
USCCB Joins Religious Groups in Filing Brief with U.S. Supreme Court Supporting Religious Freedom Rights of Muslim Prisoner
May 29, 2014, Amicus Brief with U.S. Supreme Court 
U.S. Bishops File Amicus Curiae Brief Supporting Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties in Supreme Court Cases Challenging HHS Mandate
January 28, 2014
Archbishop Kurtz Welcomes Supreme Court Injunction for Little Sisters of the Poor against HHS Mandate
January 24, 2014
USA Today Gets Religious Freedom Right
January 14, 2014
Archbishop Kurtz, Why we're rejecting the contraception mandate
The Washington Post, January 6, 2014

2013

Archbishop Kurtz asks President Obama for Temporary Relief from Burdensome Fines against Ministries of Service to the Poor, Sick and Vulnerable
December 31, 2013
USCCB Chairmen Praise Introduction of the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act in the Senate  
December 12, 2013
USCCB President Archbishop Kurtz Responds to ACLU's Lawsuit
December 6, 2013
President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Applauds Federal Court Ruling on HHS Mandate in favor of Catholic Dioceses, Ministries
November 22, 2013
U.S. Bishops Issue 'Special Message' on HHS Mandate at Conclusion of General Assembly
November 13, 2013
USCCB Chairmen Explain Opposition to ENDA   FAQ About The Employment Non-Discrimination Act
November 7, 2013
Cardinal O'Malley, Archbishop Lori to Congress: Adopt Policy of Health Care Conscience Rights Act
September 27, 2013
U.S. Bishops Seek to Live by Faith, Serve Needy, Insure Employees; Continue Moral, Legal Analysis of HHS Mandate
September 17, 2013
"Archbishop Lori, Bishop Madden Urge Senate to Support the Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act of 2013, S. 1274"
July 29, 2013
"Hobby Lobby Wins a Stay against Birth Control Mandate"
July 19, 2013, Reuters
"Worth Worrying About: Same-Sex Marriage & Religious Freedom", Richard Garnett
Commonweal, July 17, 2013
Joint Letter to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on ENDA 2013
July 9, 2013
"Final Rule Still Requires Action in Congress by Courts, Says Cardinal Dolan"
July 3, 2013
Catholic, Southern Baptist Religious Liberty Leaders Lead Open Letter Effort For Conscience Protection Given HHS Mandate
July 2, 2013
"Broad Coalition Says Contraception Mandate a Religious Liberty Threat"
Religion News Service, July 2, 2013
"Reining in Religious Freedom. A Hostile Government Chips Away at the Faith-Based Life", President John Garvey
The Washington Times, July 1, 2013
"Go to the Barricades for Religious Liberty. Christians are the Most Persecuted Creed Worldwide", Timothy Cardinal Dolan
NY Daily News, June 28, 2013
Catholics and Southern Baptists urge Senate to support Health Conscience Rights Act
June 21, 2013
Religious Liberty Chair Backs Litigants Opposing HHS Mandate
April 8, 2013
USCCB Says Administration Mandate Violates First Amendment Freedoms of Religious Organizations and Others
March 20, 2013

2012

Standing Together for Religious Freedom, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, Dr. Russell D. Moore, President of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, and over 100 religious leaders and scholars
July 2, 2012
Open Letter, Invitation to Participate in the Fortnight for Freedom, Archbishop William Lori
June 5, 2012
United for Religious Freedom, A Statement from the USCCB Administrative Committee
March 14, 2012
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