Call on Trump and Pence to defend religious liberty

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued an “action alert” to Catholics to send an email message to President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence regarding religious liberty, writes Michael Sean Winters. “Religious freedom in America has suffered years of unprecedented erosion. President Trump can correct some of this within the executive branch,” it states. “He can restore the federal government’s respect for religious freedom of individuals and organisations by signing an executive order.”

The alert specifies several areas where the bishops wish to see a more religion-friendly approach. These include “relief from the mandate of the US Department of Health and Human Services that forces the Little Sisters of the Poor and others to facilitate provision of contraception, sterilisations, and abortion-inducing drugs and devices” and “the ability of religious organisations that partner with the federal government to act according to their beliefs regarding marriage, human sexuality, and the protection of human life at all stages”.

Cardinal Seán O’Malley hosted Muslim leaders in Boston and had a letter read at Sunday Masses reiterating church support for migrants and refugees.