Pulpits, politics and the limits of free speech: a US court ruling keeps a 70-year barrier in place while Washington prepares new guidance

Apr 08, 2026 10:34

Tim Daniels

U.S. Supreme Court Photo: C-Fam

Religious Freedom

Louisville to pay $800K after court rules for Christian photographer

A Louisville, Kentucky, law forces a local photographer and blogger to use her artistic talents to promote same-sex wedding ceremonies if she photographs and blogs about weddings between one man and one woman. The law also forbids her and her studio from publicly explaining to clients and potential clients through her studio’s own website or social media sites the religious reasons why she only celebrates wedding ceremonies between one man and one woman.

Mar 28, 2026 21:40

ZENIT Staff

Analysis Opinion•Local Church•Religious Freedom

This is what the 2026 Annual Report on Religious Freedom in Latin America states

The comprehensive assessment of how freedom of religion is threatened in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, and by organized crime, omits the stigmatization of “cults” in democratic countries.

Mar 27, 2026 10:30

ZENIT Staff

Gender Ideology•Persecuted Christians•Religious Freedom

Finland’s Supreme Court Split Ruling: Acquits MP on Bible Tweet, Convicts Her over 20-Year-Old Church Brochure

Commenting on the ruling, Paul Coleman, Executive Director of ADF International, which supported Räsänen’s legal defence, expressed concern over the “conviction for a simple church pamphlet published decades ago – before the law under which she has been convicted was even passed.”

Mar 26, 2026 18:03

ZENIT Staff

Justice and Peace•Religious Freedom

U.S. Court Orders Access for Clergy Amid Immigration Crackdown

Federal officials had argued that the situation had already evolved. According to their account, the enforcement surge—known as Operation Metro Surge—ended on February 12, and the number of detainees has since declined

Mar 24, 2026 18:18

ZENIT Staff

Religious Freedom

French Court Upholds Ban on Religious Symbols in Local Council, Reigniting National Debate

On March 18, the Administrative Court of Dijon validated a decree issued by Gilles Platret, mayor of the city of Chalon-sur-Saône, which prohibits elected officials from wearing “ostentatious” religious symbols during municipal council sessions

Mar 24, 2026 18:13

Covadonga Asturias

Ceasefire on the Brink: Pope Leo XIV, Global Powers and the Moral Battle Over War in the Middle East

What distinguishes the present moment is not only the danger of renewed escalation, but the convergence of multiple crises: military, economic, diplomatic and moral

Holiness and the Evangelical Counsels Explained in Light of the Second Vatican Council by Pope Leo XIV

The Pope’s General Audience, April 8, 2026, on holiness and the evangelical counsels

Pulpits, politics and the limits of free speech: a US court ruling keeps a 70-year barrier in place while Washington prepares new guidance

USA: Apparel company, Christian bookstore appeal ruling that allows Colorado to continue silencing their views

New Israeli Policy Puts Christian Education—and Presence—in Jerusalem Under Strain

Problem Resolved: Cardinal Patriarch of Jerusalem Meets and Reaches Agreement with Israeli Police for Remaining Holy Week Celebrations

Brazilian student acquitted after facing years in prison for calling abortion murder

Israeli police prevent a Mass from being celebrated at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and bar Cardinal Pizzaballa from entering

Holy Land: Cardinal Pizzaballa Says Palm Sunday Mass Ban in Jerusalem Was a Misunderstanding

Louisville to pay $800K after court rules for Christian photographer

This is what the 2026 Annual Report on Religious Freedom in Latin America states

Finland’s Supreme Court Split Ruling: Acquits MP on Bible Tweet, Convicts Her over 20-Year-Old Church Brochure

U.S. Court Orders Access for Clergy Amid Immigration Crackdown

French Court Upholds Ban on Religious Symbols in Local Council, Reigniting National Debate