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Religious Freedom
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US bishops warn of major threats to religious liberty
- . 17 January 2024
After a year of renewed attacks on churches and religious centres, the United States bishops said in a new report that attacks on houses of worship constitute the “largest threat to religious liberty in 2024” and could threaten “the very lives of people of faith”. Source: CNA.
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NSW Government warned against breaching religious freedoms
- . 15 January 2024
The New South Wales Government has been warned that attempting to stop religious schools from hiring or firing staff because of their adherence to “Christian ethos”, including sexuality, would be a breach of religious freedoms. Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
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Protection of freedom of conscience in Australia ‘dismal’
- . 14 December 2023
Freedom of conscience in the practice of medicine was the focus of a talk in Hobart hosted by the Catholic Medical Association of Tasmania. Source: Hobart Archdiocese.
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Court rules government offices in EU can ban wearing of religious symbols
- . 7 December 2023
A new ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union allows member states to prohibit the wearing of religious symbols or clothing by employees in public institutions. Source: Aleteia.
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Labor to add new protections for religious expression in misinformation bill
- . 13 November 2023
A clear exemption for religious expression will be among the changes to Labor’s proposed misinformation laws as the revised legislation is delayed until next year after a chorus of free speech concerns from a range of organisations. Source: The Age.
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Religious freedom a path to promoting peace: Archbishop Gallagher
- . 9 November 2023
Religious freedom is not merely a human right but is also a path to promoting peace in an increasingly complex world, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, said this week. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
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WA delays laws on religious schools’ employment practices
- . 30 October 2023
Laws barring religious schools in Western Australia from discriminating against gay teachers have been delayed and could be shelved in the wake of the Cook Government’s repealed Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act. Source: The West Australian.
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Faith leaders push for religious freedom laws in wake of Israel conflict
- . 24 October 2023
Faith leaders say spillover from the conflict in the Middle East has made it “blindingly obvious” why Australia needs religious freedom laws, raising concerns over the potential for increased prejudice in the wake of the violence. Source: The Australian.
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Christian schools warn Human Rights Act threatens religious freedoms
- . 11 October 2023
Australia’s Christian schools peak body has warned a proposed federal Human Rights Act could threaten religious freedoms, urging the Albanese Government to revisit religious discrimination legislation. Source: The Australian.