Why religious freedom is so important, according to editor of new report

Wherever religious freedom flourishes, peace and justice advance. But wherever it is denied, oppression follows.

That’s why Aid to the Church in Need’s Religious Freedom in the World Report is much more than a compilation of statistics. It is a wakeup call.

So says Marta Petrosillo, editor-in-chief of the report, due to be released October 21.

ACN has been publishing the biannual Religious Freedom in the World Report for the past quarter century. It details the state of religious freedom – for all faiths — in countries around the world and ranks them according to the severity of religious persecution or discrimination – or the presence of warning signs.

“Religious freedom is a fundamental human right, enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” Petrosillo notes in the short video below. “Religious freedom is not only our right—it is also our shared responsibility. Defending the religious freedom of others means defending human dignity, peace, and the freedom of all. Because where religious freedom is denied, sooner or later, all other freedoms and rights are at risk.”