A desperately-needed global movement to push for religious freedom rights worldwide has begun, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback said last Thursday at a United Nations event focused on religious freedom.
Displaced by fighting between the Iraqi army and the Islamic State group, a family leaves a processing center for displaced families Jan. 27, 2017, outside Mosul. (CNS/Paul Jeffrey)
Amman, Jordan Christians and others practicing their faith experienced serious challenges to religious freedom around the world this year, heightened by dangers posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The challenges ranged from institutionalized practices to violent killings and kidnappings. Others saw threats to religious freedom in pandemic lockdown restrictions.
In Iraq, where Pope Francis is set to make a pilgrimage next March, pandemic conditions permitting, Catholic leaders have expressed grave concerns for the conflict-ridden country s brutally displaced Christians and other religious minorities, like the Yazidis.