Former ambassador Sam Brownback praised Donald Trump's nomination of Mark Walker for his focus on religious freedom. Brownback highlighted Walker's close relationship with the president and his background as a pastor as key assets for the role. He emphasized the importance of religious freedom as a cornerstone human rights issue. Brownback served in the religious freedom role from 2018 to 2021.
about 2 months ago
Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback has lauded President Trump's nomination of Mark Walker as the next ambassador for religious freedom 1 2. Brownback believes Walker is an "excellent pick" to advance religious liberty globally 1 2.
Brownback emphasized Walker's strong connection with President Trump, highlighting the importance of the ambassador being able to speak for the President 1 2. He noted Walker's background as a Southern Baptist pastor, stating that religious freedom is "in his heart, it's in his DNA" 1 2. Walker's experience in Congress was also cited as a valuable asset for navigating the political landscape and pushing for religious freedom initiatives 1 2.
Mark Walker's nomination has been welcomed due to his diverse background as a pastor and former U.S. Representative 1 2. Following the announcement of his nomination, Walker affirmed his commitment to fighting for those targeted for living out their faith, whether on college campuses or in Sub-Saharan Africa 1 2.
Brownback emphasized that religious freedom has become a cornerstone of human rights, particularly for those on the right 1 2. He argued that establishing religious freedom in countries can lead to the development of other human rights such as freedom of speech and assembly 1 2. Brownback also pointed out that authoritarian regimes, like the Chinese Communist Party, view religious freedom as an existential threat 1 2. He stressed the importance of the ambassador carrying the message of religious freedom and promoting it worldwide 1 2.
The Church defines and defends religious freedom.
Sam Brownback, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, praises President Trump's nomination of Mark Walker as the next ambassador for religious freedom. Brownback emphasizes Walker's strong connection with President Trump and his background as a Southern Baptist pastor, highlighting that religious freedom is "in his heart, it's in his DNA". Brownback also notes Walker's experience in Congress as a valuable asset. Walker affirmed his commitment to fighting for those targeted for living out their faith. Brownback argues that religious freedom is a cornerstone of human rights and essential for the development of other rights, viewing its suppression by authoritarian regimes as an existential threat.
The Catholic Church defines religious freedom as the right of every person to freely seek the truth and to adhere to it, both individually and in community, without coercion. This understanding is articulated in the Second Vatican Council's Declaration on Religious Freedom, Dignitatis Humanae. The declaration asserts that all people should be free from coercion by individuals, social groups, or any human power, allowing them to live out their religious beliefs privately and publicly. This freedom extends to acts of worship, teaching, and charitable activities, reflecting the understanding that religious expression is integral to human flourishing.
Dignitatis Humanae affirms that the right to religious freedom is based on the dignity of the human person. This dignity is known through reason and divine revelation. The document states that the exercise of religion consists before all else in acts of the mind, which are free by their nature. It clarifies that religious freedom is not limitless, and the exercise of religious freedom must not violate the just demands of public order.
The Catholic Church's teaching on religious freedom aligns with the news article's emphasis on the importance of religious freedom as a fundamental human right. Brownback's view that religious freedom is a cornerstone of human rights resonates with the Church's assertion in Dignitatis Humanae that religious freedom is essential for human dignity and the common good . The Church would agree with Brownback's concern about authoritarian regimes suppressing religious freedom, as it sees such actions as a violation of human dignity and a threat to the search for truth .
However, the Church's perspective also adds nuance to the discussion. While Brownback highlights religious freedom as a priority, the Church emphasizes that religious freedom should be exercised within the bounds of public order and the common good . This means that religious freedom cannot be used to justify actions that harm others or undermine the fabric of society. The Church's teaching calls for a balanced approach, where religious freedom is protected while also ensuring that it contributes to a just and harmonious society.
The Catholic Church firmly defends religious freedom as a fundamental human right rooted in the dignity of the human person. This aligns with the news article's emphasis on the importance of religious freedom, particularly in the context of international relations and human rights. However, the Church's teaching also provides a broader framework for understanding religious freedom, emphasizing its connection to the common good and the need for its responsible exercise within the bounds of public order.