We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
How a new presidential religious freedom adviser could shape US foreign policy
FREE Catholic Classes
Reports of a new special adviser to the President on international religious freedom could be a game-changer for U.S. foreign policy, one expert said Friday.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
2/10/2020 (4 years ago)
Published in U.S.
Keywords: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, WASHINGTON D.C., US
Washington D.C., (CNA) - Reports of a new special adviser to the President on international religious freedom could be a game-changer for U.S. foreign policy, one expert said Friday.
"It's a very big deal. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has been recommending they fill this position for 20 years," Nadine Maenza, a USCIRF commissioner, told CNA.
USCIRF is a bipartisan commission that makes policy recommendations to the State Department. It was established under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, which aimed to ensure religious freedom was part of U.S. foreign policy.
The law also called for an international religious freedom ambassador at the State Department - a position currently held by former Kansas governor Sam Brownback - and a special adviser on international religious freedom at the National Security Council.
On Wednesday, Politico had reported that a new position would be created at the National Security Council to oversee international religious freedom policy. Sarah Makin, an aide to Vice President Mike Pence, was reportedly being picked to fill the position.
USCIRF chair Tony Perkins praised the move as critical in a time of direct attacks on houses of worship around the world.
"In recent years, we have seen an increase in the frequency of violent attacks targeting houses of worship and holy sites around the world, and believe that the new Special Adviser will be an indispensable asset in helping the Administration coordinate a government-wide strategy and policy to combat rising religious persecution globally," Perkins stated.
USCIRF in its 2019 annual report had also requested that the administration appoint a special adviser to coordinate government-wide efforts to promote religious freedom.
Maenza explained that Makin's new role would help promote religious freedom worldwide, ensure it is part of U.S. foreign policy, and amplify the considerations that U.S. national security policy should have for religious minorities around the world.
"Now, officially, to be able to make sure that the consequences to religious freedom are considered when they make decisions is important," Maenza told CNA.
If officially nominated, Makin would be the "point person" for groups like USCIRF to communicate with the National Security Council, she said.
Furthermore, Makin could have the president's ear to explain possible consequences of national security policy on religious minorities around the world.
"I think you've seen when you look back that decisions made end up hurting religious minorities without anyone really considering that," Maenza said, pointing to Makin's work with Yazidi genocide victims in Iraq and Uyghurs in China.
Religious minorities around the world "will have a voice with her. She's looking out for them," Maenza said.
The report of Makin's role came during the same week that an International Religious Freedom Alliance was announced by the State Department, consisting of 27 countries pledging to work together to promote religious freedom and protect victims of persecution.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sacrifices of Faith: The Pro-Life Legacies of St. Gianna and Jessica Hanna
-
How to love God by caring for our bodies
-
Pope Francis calls for negotiations to End Russia-Ukraine War
-
Pope Francis Contemplates Return to U.S. for United Nations Assembly Address
-
Pope Francis Calls on Faithful to Embrace Faith, Hope, and Charity in New Teaching Series
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Monday, April 29, 2024
- St. Catherine of Siena: Saint of the Day for Monday, April 29, 2024
- Prayer for the Dead # 3: Prayer of the Day for Monday, April 29, 2024
- Daily Readings for Sunday, April 28, 2024
- St. Peter Chanel: Saint of the Day for Sunday, April 28, 2024
- Prayer before a Crucifix: Prayer of the Day for Sunday, April 28, 2024
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.