Religious Freedom Today

“In the world today freedom of religion is often talked about
rather than put into practice.” - Pope Francis.
Today being a Christian could cost you your life. Catholic
thinking on religious freedom believes that secular states
should grant religious freedom to everyone who lives in
them, and no one should be coerced in religious matters,
either to hold, or not to hold, a set of beliefs or propositions
- or forced to act in a manner contrary to their beliefs.
Equally, for Catholics religion plays a positive role in
society: so that civil authorities not only respect the rights
of religious groups, but that they allow space for them to
nurture their members, to contribute to society through their
charitable works, socially orientated institutions, and insights and wisdom.