US State Department Archives

Verdict on first religious freedom report under Trump: Great rhetoric, what do we do?
- Analysis
- August 16, 2017
Given that President Donald Trump repeatedly has vowed to make defending religious freedom a key element of U.S. foreign policy, release of the first State Department International Religious Freedom Report on his watch was keenly anticipated. Overall, observers say there’s good stuff in it, but it still leaves the basic question unanswered: Having named the problem, what are we going to do about it?
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U.S. State Department decries Islamic State ‘genocide’ of Christians, others
- Associated Press, Church in the US
- August 15, 2017
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the United States promotes religious freedom as a moral imperative. “As importantly, we promote religious freedom because countries that effectively safeguard this human right are more stable, economically vibrant, and peaceful,” — Tillerson continued — “The failure of governments to protect this right breeds instability, terrorism, and violence.”
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Pezzullo, former diplomat who was first layman to head CRS, dies at 91
- Catholic News Service, Obituary
- August 6, 2017
Lawrence A. Pezzullo, the first layman to head CRS, died at the end of July. Coming to CRS after a career in the U.S. Foreign Service, Pezzullo is credited with taking the agency “to a new level of professionalism and impact,” reads the tribute from CRS.
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Anti-trafficking bill passes first hurdle

A proposed law would allot $94 million over four years to the Department of Health and Human Services to provide trafficking victims who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents with short- and long-term housing options, substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, educational opportunities, job training and skills development, legal advocacy, and financial advocacy and counseling.

Syrian religious sister among women honored by U.S. State Department

Sister Carolin Tahhan Fachakh, a member of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, was among women who were honored by the U.S. State Department. She lives in Aleppo, Syria, and was recognized for working “tirelessly to support the needs of Syria’s most vulnerable populations, particularly internally displaced persons and children.”

Religious freedom advocates want US to put teeth into its rhetoric

Religious freedom advocates are praising the U.S. State Department’s International Religious Freedom report, but also calling on the administration to put teeth into its rhetoric with steps such as targeted sanctions, visa denials, and other measures.