Hate speech Archives

Scottish bishops warn against ‘cancel culture’ and affirm ‘freedom to disagree’

Jul 29, 2020

Scotland’s bishops have decried ‘cancel culture’ and warned that freedom of expression and belief could be at risk under proposed hate crime legislation.

By Charles Collins

Detroit archdiocese responds to derogatory attacks on Washington archbishop

Jun 16, 2020

Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron and the Archdiocese of Detroit in a June 11 statement condemned “racist and derogatory” language used by a fringe organization located in the archdiocese that bills itself as Catholic and posted a video calling the archbishop of Washington an “African Queen,” saying he is an “accused homosexual.”

By Rhina Guidos

German law takes initiative in countering hate speech on social media

Dec 9, 2017

A group looking at hate speech, listed religion as the fourth most-frequent offending category after ethnicity, nationality and class, and ahead of sexual orientation, gender and disability. This is leading to new laws in the EU dealing with the internet.

By Tom Heneghan

Pope’s critique of ‘gender theory’ emboldens bishops to speak out

Aug 22, 2016

Recent developments in Colombia, Mexico and Spain suggest that Pope Francis’ blistering attacks on “gender theory,” the idea that people ought to be free to choose their own gender, is emboldening Catholic bishops around the world to speak out themselves.

By Inés San Martín

Spanish cardinal who denounced ‘gay empire’ cleared of hate speech

Jun 23, 2016

Criminal proceedings against Cardinal Antonio Cañizares of Valencia were dismissed without further investigation because a magistrate saw no “criminal intent” nor an appeal to “hatred and violence” in the homily delivered by the prelate on May 13.

By Inés San Martín

Cardinal facing charges for views on gender and ‘gay empire’

Jun 9, 2016

After Cardinal Antonio Cañizares of Valencia said “we have legislation contrary to the family, the action of political and social forces, with added movements and actions of the gay empire,” a coalition of pro-LGBT groups charged him with hate crimes under Spanish law.

By Inés San Martín