USCCB committee chairmen call on President Trump to protect religious liberty
February 17, 2017
Four bishops who chair committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have called upon President Donald Trump to enact religious-liberty protections.
A draft executive order has been published in media outlets, but the order has not been signed.
“Over the last several years, to our great dismay, the federal government has eroded this fundamental right, our first and most cherished freedom,” stated Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, Charles Chaput, Archbishop William Lori, and Bishop Frank Dewane.
They added:
President Trump has pledged that his “administration will do everything in its power to defend and protect religious liberty in our land.” We urge the fulfillment of this promise, including an end to regulations and other mandates by the federal government that force people of faith to make impossible choices...
It is indeed encouraging to hear that the President may be considering an Executive Order to implement strong protections for religious freedom across the federal government, in many of the areas where it has been eroded by the preceding Administration, such as health coverage, adoption, accreditation, tax exemption, and government grants and contracts. We ourselves, as well as those we shepherd and serve, would be most grateful if the President would take this positive step toward allowing all Americans to be able to practice their faith without severe penalties from the federal government.
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Posted by: feedback -
Feb. 17, 2017 7:39 PM ET USA
A little bit of diplomacy and support for Trump from USCCB could go a long way.
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Feb. 17, 2017 6:48 AM ET USA
"Over the last several years, to our great dismay, the federal government has eroded this fundamental right, our first and most cherished freedom." Are you serious?!!? To our great dismay? In 2004 the former president laid out his agenda at the Democrat Convention. Two Catholic U.S. senators held up his arms in a victory salute at the end of that awful speech. It was clear then, nearly 13 years ago, that this anti-life, anti-Catholic was on the road to the White House. Did they hear the speech?
