Human Dignity Remains at the Heart of Defending Religious Freedom

WASHINGTON – On October 27, the United States observes International Religious Freedom Day to commemorate the signing of the International Religious Freedom Act in 1998. “As Catholics, the Spirit of Truth, who dwells in human hearts, compels us to build a digital culture that respects the innate human search for truth and freedom,” said Archbishop Alexander K. Sample, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee for Religious Liberty and Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace. 

The bishop chairmen called attention to the need for human dignity to remain the central criteria for promoting religious freedom in the context of rapid technological change:

“Throughout the world, millions of people continue to suffer violations of the basic human right to religious freedom, and rapidly developing technological tools, such as artificial intelligence, have the potential to expand such abuses, increasing the scope of surveillance and persecution of religious groups. Pope Leo XIV reminds us, in Magnifica humanitas, that the right to religious freedom is rooted in human dignity, providing ‘decisive criteria’ for protecting individuals and societies. As brother bishops, we affirm that, in the age of AI, human dignity remains at the heart of defending religious freedom.

“The USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace actively collaborates with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on addressing religious freedom violations around the world. This partnership is a testament to the power of joint efforts by government and faith leaders to protect this most cherished right. In this era of technological change, all of society – including the private sector – is called to work together to ensure that technological tools are not used to facilitate new and intensified forms of religious discrimination.

“As Catholics, the Spirit of Truth, who dwells in human hearts, compels us to build a digital culture that respects the innate human search for truth and freedom. In this 250th year commemorating American independence, may the Sacred Heart of Jesus, burning with love for all of humanity, make us beacons of hope for our brothers and sisters throughout the world by defending religious freedom in the digital age.”

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