The German Pope’s argument for a theological and philosophical foundation of freedom of religion did not persuade everybody, but remains a crucial reference.
Religious Liberty
Benedict XVI and Religious Liberty. 3. The French vs. the American Model of Freedom of Religion
The German Pope recognized that there were two different notions of freedom of religion, and only the “American” one was compatible with Catholicism.
Benedict XVI and Religious Liberty. 2. “Reform in the Continuity”
The German Pope never claimed that between the old and the new Catholic teachings on religious liberty there was perfect continuity. But he said the reform was not a “rupture.”
USCIRF Charges China’s Authorized Religious Bodies as Communist Party Accomplices
A new report exposes the five authorized religions’ “complicity in the government’s systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”
Benedict XVI and Religious Liberty. 1. Ratzinger and Lefebvre
It was in dealing with Archbishop Lefebvre’s refusal of the Second Vatican Council that Cardinal Ratzinger started reflecting in depth on the foundation of religious liberty.
Spanish Supreme Court: Political Parties Cannot Exclude “Cult” Devotees as Candidates
The judges sanctioned the Podemos party for its discrimination of members based on the sole reason that they belonged to the Prometheus Initiatory School.
European Court of Human Rights: Governments Should Not Call Minority Religions “Cults”
The Court ruled in favor of three Bulgarian Evangelical churches, and said its case law has “evolved” since it refused to censor two French report on “cults” in 2001.
Un hiver amer (Bitter Winter) pour la MIVILUDES
La crise profonde de la mission gouvernementale française de lutte contre les sectes a été révélée par la démission de sa cheffe, Hanène Romdhane.
Religious Freedom Violations: Do Not Forget Cuba
Two U.S. documents reminded us this month that Cuba remains among the worst countries of the world when it comes to religious liberty.
A Bitter Winter for MIVILUDES
The deep crisis of the French governmental anti-cult mission has been revealed by the resignation of its chief, Hanène Romdhane.