Canada’s bishops ask government to reinstate Office of Religious Freedom

Pope Francis has described religious freedom as a ‘fundamental human right’

OTTAWA (CCN)

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has asked the federal government to “reconsider” its decision to close the Office of Religious Freedom.

“The Canadian Ambassador for Religious Freedom and the Office of Religious Freedom were an important signal to the international community and to Canadians – as well as a reminder to our civil servants and our country’s diplomats – of the singular importance of religious freedom, and of the unfortunate lack of voices in society prepared to come to its defence,” said a CCCB statement released March 24.

“Religious freedom and freedom of conscience have a pivotal status among human rights,” the statement said. “Religious freedom is more than the right of an individual to believe and pray. It equally involves a faith community’s identity as well as its interactions with society.”

The statement quoted Pope Francis, who described religious freedom as a “fundamental human right,” during his visit to Amman, Jordan in May 2014.

“The Canadian Ambassador for Religious Freedom and the Office of Religious Freedom supported those voices within the world’s religions which call for dialogueue and for measures leading to peace, justice and true security,” the CCCB said. “The Ambassador and the Office moreover recognized the perilous situation of the Christian minority in the Middle East which has been present in the region for two millennia.”

The bishops pointed out how Christians face additional hardships to those suffered by everyone in the Middle East because of persecution by extremist groups on both sides.

Despite the persecution Christians face, especially in the Middle East and Africa, Christians “provide an important bridge for dialogueue and collaboration, and contribute toward education, healthcare and social services, including assistance for refugees, displaced persons and the most vulnerable in society, no matter their religion or ethnicity.”

The bishops also asked the government for a plan “on how it will carry out its commitment to defend and promote religious freedom as part of its human rights agenda.”