Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Washington (Agenzia Fides) - The Episcopal Conference of the United States of America (Uscbb) has announced the establishment of an "ad hoc Commision" for religious freedom, which will be presided by Mgr.William Lori, Bishop of Bridgeport, in Connecticut. To ensure the Commission's work, two new members will work full time: a lawyer expert in religious freedom legislation and another member who will deal with both religious freedom issues and themes related to marriage.
According to what the Bishops have expressed, in the U.S. religious freedom is threatened to such an extent that the establishment of this new Commission was justified, which meets a growing concern in the country. The decision was taken at the recent Administrative Committee meeting of the Episcopal Conference (Usccb), and was proclaimed by a letter from the President of the Usccb, Mgr.Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, which is dated September 29 . "The Commission - explains Msgr. William Lori – will deal with the growing threats to religious freedom in our society so that the mission of the Church can proceed unhindered and the rights of believers and non believers are respected". As Mgr. Dolan writes in his letter, religious freedom in America today "in its multiple dimensions has become the object of an increasing number of unprecedented attacks". This refers in particular to the "growing number of federal and political programs that threaten the rights of conscience, or that may undermine the fundamental principle of religious freedom".
Mgr. Timothy Dolan said that the new ad hoc Commission will be immediately operational and will work closely with other charitable organizations, Christian organizations and other religions, and scholars "to form a united and strong front in defense of religious freedom in our country". (CE) (Agenzia Fides 04/10/2011)
