 
‘Freedom
From Religious Persecution Act’ By Robert P. Mills The Presbyterian Layman |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The “Freedom From Religious Persecution Act” was approved by the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support by a vote of 375-41 on May 14. The legislation seeks to curb the growth of religious persecution around the world. Introduced by Rep Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.), the act would establish the Office of Religious Persecution Monitoring in the State Department, with its director reporting directly to the secretary of State and the president. The new office would provide a permanent mechanism for investigating religious persecution. “I am very pleased that the House passed this bill,” Wolf said. “We still have a lot of work to do. It is important to continue the momentum that we have gained as this bill will now go to the Senate for consideration. Passage of this bill sends a message to those around the world that are being persecuted for their faith that we are speaking out for them, that there is hope that persecution of people of faith will not be tolerated.” Passage of the bill comes after a two-year effort by Wolf, who has been opposed by a coalition including big business (notably USA*Engage, an organization of exporters), the National Council of Churches, and the PCUSA Washington Office. |
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The Presbyterian Layman, July/August 1998 contents |
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