By Tyler Arnold
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jan 22, 2025 / 10:20 am
Policies related to immigration, gender ideology, abortion, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are among the top religious liberty concerns heading into 2025, according to a report published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
The USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty on Jan. 16 issued its Annual Report on the State of Religious Liberty, which highlights the legislative actions, potential executive actions, and U.S. Supreme Court cases the bishops are closely watching.
“We can become anxious that our unpopular positions on issues such as the dignity of all human life and the nature of marriage and the human person require us to compromise our integrity in order to secure political victories,” Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, wrote in the foreword of the document.
“This jubilee year offers us a chance to reflect on the necessity of patience and long-suffering in our work to bear witness to the truth,” added Rhoades, who chairs the USCCB’s religious liberty committee.
Immigrant-focused and other Catholic organizations
Although the document states that immigration policy “is not itself a religious liberty issue,” it enters the realm of religious liberty “when religious charities and social services are singled out for special hostility, or when their bona fide religious motivations are impugned as pretextual for self-interest.”
The bishops specifically reference Annunciation House, an El Paso-based nonprofit that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is seeking to shut down.
The recent legal battles between the Catholic Church and state governments have been making headlines. From accusations of “alien harboring” to investigations into Catholic investors, the Church is facing challenges on multiple fronts.
One such case involves a Catholic nonprofit being accused by the attorney general of “alien harboring.” This allegation has been taken to the state Supreme Court, where the nonprofit is fighting to clear its name.
But it’s not just this one nonprofit that’s under scrutiny. Other Catholic organizations, including Catholic Charities affiliates, have also come under fire for allegedly aiding illegal immigration. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has denied these claims, but the legal battles continue.
In addition to immigration issues, the bishops are also concerned about a House Judiciary Committee investigation into Climate Action 100+ members. These investors, who are working to reduce carbon emissions, include several companies that are Catholic and adhere to the bishops’ investment guidelines.
As these legal battles play out in the courts, the USCCB is keeping a close eye on the developments. The Church’s commitment to serving those in need and promoting environmental stewardship remains steadfast, despite the challenges it faces.
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