Members of the Religious Liberty Commission urged on April 13 that efforts to monitor and address threats to religious freedom should continue, even as the commission held its final scheduled meeting.
The commission, established by President Donald Trump to advocate for religious liberty, met under the leadership of Chair Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Vice Chair Ben Carson. Other members present included Ryan Anderson, Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, and Allyson Ho. The panel reflected on its work over the past year and discussed recommendations for protecting religious freedom in the United States.
Bishop Barron said that “threats to religious freedom both at home and abroad are not disappearing anytime soon.” He reiterated his earlier statement: “The principal enemy of religious liberty in our country is what I call the ideology of self invention.” Barron described this philosophy as one that “denies the objectivity of moral values and the stability of human nature,” adding that it has influenced institutions such as government, education, and health care.
Barron cited examples including rising anti-religious violence targeting churches and statues over recent years. He also pointed out challenges faced by healthcare professionals who refuse certain procedures on religious grounds: “In regard to health care, the culture of self invention expresses itself in an aggressive attitude toward those physicians and nurses who refuse on religious grounds to participate in certain medical procedures.”
Barron called attention to mandates related to abortion, contraception, IVF insurance requirements opposed by Catholics, gender transition surgeries requirements, advocacy for pro-life demonstrators’ rights at abortion sites, protection for Catholic Charities social service organizations, parental roles in education decisions, priest-penitent confidentiality laws regarding confessionals, efforts against antisemitism from various political sides; he also addressed humane treatment for incarcerated immigrants seeking sacraments.
Patrick agreed with Barron’s proposal for continued oversight: “Our charter expires in a couple of months…weʼd like to continue to monitor the outcome and…to have hearings as needed as stories break.”
During its final session panels discussed how faith communities contribute positively throughout American history. Sister Mary Elizabeth from Sisters of Life highlighted legal pressures faced by ministries serving pregnant women—such as a New York law requiring non-abortion pregnancy centers disclose internal documents—and described challenges encountered by Dominican Sisters providing cancer care while facing new state regulations about room assignments based on gender identity.
Sister Mary Elizabeth said: “Ours is just one of thousands of religious ministries seeking to be such a light in the world…our religion actually impels us forth to charitable service to others.”
The future role or format for continuing this work remains uncertain but several commissioners advocated sending a letter requesting extension or renewal.
